Stumpuis partly by petitioning and supplications but without doubt not without emptying his bags obtained that the Church might stand which is now the Parish-Church This Town saith a new Author Anonymus was by Antoninus in his Itinerarium called Cunetio from the River Kennet and Marleburgh as being seated in a Chalkie soyle which in some places still well called by the name of Marle Here Hen. 3. held a Parliament in which were many statutes and as the preamble saith right necessary for the peace and tranquility of the people now a title of honour and hath given stile of EARLE to 1. James L. Ley L. Tr. Created Earle of Marlborough 1. Car. Feb. 7. 2. Henry Ley. 3. James Ley E. of Mal. Argent a cheveron between 3 Bears Heads Couped Sable The next place which Mulmutius Dunwallo built was The-Vies which Florentius Wigorniensis calls Divisio another De vies and Nubrigensis Divisae Here was a Castle built by Roger the rich Bishop of Salisbury for scituation and workmanship giving place to none but Fortune is a Goddesse both blind and fickle for he who even now was the second Head in the Kingdom by the frowns or rather avarice of K. Stephen is not only plunder'd of his vast and almost inexhaustible Treasure but also cast into a loathsome Gaol where the poor old Man with Hunger and what with Afflictions and Miseries betwixt the fear of death and torments of his life would feign have died yet knew not how to die Mulmutius Dunwallo having with great honour rul'd the Brittains by the space of forty years yielded to death what was mortal and was buried in the Temple of Troynovant which he had built leaving his two Sons Bellinus and Brennus joyntly to succeed in the Kingdome BELLINVS and BRENNVS BEllinus and Brennus the two Sons of Mulmutius began to Reign joyntly as Kings of great Brittain in the year of the World four thousand eight hundred and eight To Bellinus according to the agreement of Partition fell Loegria Cambria and Cornwall that is to say England Wales and Cornwall and to Brennus by the same accord all the Land beyond the River of Humber This Partition according to Policron and others pleased and gave full content to both the Brothers for the space of five years The reason why Bellinus had the bigger and better share was Quia erat primogenitus Vitus fol. 209. Trojana consuetudo requirebat ut dignitas Haereditatis perveniret ad eum Hanc vero fuisse consuetudinem Trojanorum scribens Herodotus ad Alexandrum ait non erat perventurum Regnum cum Hector major natu Herodotus virtute praestantior quam ille Regnum defuncto Priamo suscepturus esset Idem scribit Messala Corvinus in libello de Augusti Progenie Troem à quo dicta Troja est Regem Trojanorum habuisse duos filios Ilum Assaracum atque Ilum defuncto patre quod ipse major natu esset obtinuisse Regnum Messala Corvinus Denique is qui dicitur Dares Phrygius in libro de excidio Trojae narrat Priamum commone fecisse filios quos habebat multos ut majores natu minoribus Imperarent ex quo sequitur ut minores majoribus subderentur Adeoque Legem hanc latam in Anglia esse propter ius istud Trojanae consuetudinis atque servatam esse scribit Andreas Taraquellus in praesatione primogenitorum Andreas Taraquellus Bartolus Bartolus ad l. 1. Codicis de summa Trinitate Consuetudinis est in Anglia inquit ut primogenitus succedat in omnibus bonis Because he was eldest and the Trojan custome was that the Inheritance should fall to the Eldest and this to have been the Trojan custome sheweth Herodotus saying that the Kingdom of Troy after the death of Priamus was not to fall to Alexander but to Hector who was both the more Valiant and also the Eldest by birth and Messala Corvinus in his Book of the Progeny of Augustus confirms as much saying that King Tros from whom Troy took its Name had two Sons Ilus and Assaracus and that Ilus his Father being dead for that he was the Eldest enjoyed the Kingdom and he also who is called Dares Phrygius in his Book of the Destruction of Troy tells us That Priamus who had many Sons admonished them that the Elder should have Power over the Younger c. and this Law to have taken root in England as being derived from the old Trojan Custome affirmeth Andreas Tarquellus After five years thus in brotherly love and amity expired Brennus supposing himself injured and intending to enlarge his Territories raised Forces and in hostile manner sets upon his brother Bellinus but as his quarrel was unjust so the sequel proved Fatal for he was totally Routed and to save his life compelled to fly into Armorica now called Little Brittain or as Gaufride will have it into the Country of the Allobroges others affirm that without the knowledge or consent of his Brother he sailed into Norway and there married the Daughter of Elfunge or Elfinge Duke of that place which tydings when they were brought to Bellinus he seized into his hands all the Lands of Brennus and fortified his Cities Castles and other strong Holds with his own Garrisons Fame quickly brought these Rumours to Brennus who neglected no time but gathering a strong Army of Norwegians ships himself for his own Principality where by the way he was met by Guilthdacus or Guiclidacus King of Denmark who being inflamed with the Love of the Lady whom Brennus had espoused awaited his coming and being now met the two Fleets strongly encounter each other and in short time come to grappling a most bitter and bloudy Conflict ensueth But the Danish King having surprized the Vessel in which the Object both of his love and anger was imbarked though he had totally dispersed his Enemies Navy pursued no further thinking himself highly rewarded with the beautiful prize which he had already taken and there withal resolves as a most victorious Conqueror to return to Denmark yet whether Fortune to shew her accustomed fickleness and cross the Designs of such as think themselves most fortunate and her darlings or rather Neptune incensed to see so violent a Rape committed within his watery Kingdom with his revenging trident turned up and undermined the calm waves and ploughed them into hideous ridges such a tempest arose that the Heavens were darkned the winds blustered the billows roared and made such a hideous noise that Guilthdacus each minute expected to be swallowed up in the mercilesse surges of the angry Ocean this death-threatning storm continued for the space of five dayes at the end whereof the skies began to clear the winds and waves to leave their Violence and the Danish King to understand he was driven upon the coasts of his Enemies Country for his tattered Fleet so much as was left of it was now arrived in Northumberland Belâ—inus to make good that he had already begun and
a Parish Church bearing the name of Saint Dervian as a Church either by him Founded or to him Dedicated so likewise is there another in Glamorganshire called Saint Fagans where every year is a very great Fair continuing many dayes where also my honoured Patron the Right Noble William Lewes of the Van Esq Son to Sir Edward Lewes and the Right Honourable Lady Beauchamp Daughter of the Earl of Dorset hath a stately Habitation and if I mistake not is Lord of the Mannor Betwixt this Elutherius and King Lucius many Letters passed and the said Bishop granted many priviledges to Universities and places of learning in Brittain as to Cambridge Stanford Cricklade or Greeklade and in Glamorganshire I suppose this place was either Caerwent or Caerleon for all which is now called Monmouthshire was then called Glamorgan where they say learning flourished as well as at Cambridge before the coming of Julius Caesar Mr. Bro. f. 270. and the Schoole of Glamorgan being so near Caerleon upon Vsk in that Countrey where one of the three great Idolatrous Temples of Brittain and seat of the Archflamen of those Western provinces was and thereby a Nursery of Paganisme which those holy men laboured by all means to root out and for that cause where Archflamens were Archbishops were placed and where Flamens Bishops The Brittish Histories Ponticus Virunnius and others say of these Prelates that they delivered the Brittains from Idolatry and converted them to Christ Radulphus de Diceto in his manuscript History proveth as much that they converted all the Cities of Brittain as well as their Flamens and Archflamens by whom they were directed in their Idolatrous worship as others And the principal states and members of this Kingdome King Lucius his Nobles Universities Philosophers Flamens and chiefe Priests and Teachers of the Pagan Subjects and their chief places of commorancy and command being thus converted the conquest over the Vulgar sort was easie and soon effected The Author of the Brittish History testifyeth Mr. Br. f. 271. that so soon as the people of Brittain knew that their King was a Christian they gathered themselves together to be Catechised and received Baptisme and that those holy Legates did blot out Paganisme almost through all the Island and Ponticus Virunnius saith that they baptized all the people of Brittany all this may easily be confirmed by divers Authors but I will conclude with Harding Eluthery the first at supplication Of Lucius sent him two holy Men That called were Fagan and Dungen That Baptized him and all his Realm throughout With hearts glad and labour devout There were then twenty eight Flamens and three Arch-flamens to whose power other Judges were subject and these by the command of the Pope his Legates delivered from Idolatry and where there were Flamens they placed Bishops where Arch-flamens Arch-bishops The Seats of the Arch-flamens were in the three most noble Cities London York and the City of Legions which the old Walls and Buildings do witnesse to have been upon the River of Vsk in Glamorgan King Lucius sent to Elutherius not only for his assistance in spiritual matters but also in his temporal Mr. Br. f. 301. 6. Bridges defence l. 16. p. 1355. Galf. Mon. l. 2. c. 17. Bro. Virunnius Stow Hollinshed as the governing his people and making wholsome Lawes The Lawes which were established here were the old Brittains Lawes ascribed for their greatest part to Mulmutius Dunwallo corrected and made conformable to holy Christian Religion We have all kind of Antiquities Brittish Saxon French Italians Ancient and Modern for Witnesses These Lawes were translated out of Brittish into Latine long before this time by the ancient Gildas that lived about the time of the Birth of CHRIST as many both ancient and late Writers agree and continued here till late time and in divers respects at this present King Lucius being thus informed and secured in conscience by Saint Elutherius his Letters and by his Declaration that the whole Kingdome of Brittain with the Ilands belonged to his temporal charge and government and that so much as he could he was to win his Subjects to the Faith and Law of Christ and his holy Church and provide for the peace and quiet of the same and the Members thereof he did first in receiving and admitting these new corrected Lawes by the advice of the Clergy and Nobles of his Kingdome see them so qualified that they were for the defence and propagation of Christian Religion and further Founded many godly costly and memorable Monuments as Churches Universities or Schools Monasteries and other such comforts helps and furtherances of that holy end So that as he was the first King that publickly with his Kingdome professed Christ so he won the honour to be the first Nursing Father among Kings of his holy Church as the Prophet had foretold Kings shall be thy Nursing Fathers He was also first among Kings called properly the Vicegerent of God being the first King which so religiously performed his will And that Title which the Pope gave to King Henry the 8. when he was better then he proved after Defender of the Faith was among Kings the first due and right of King Lucius for his so heroical and Religious fortitude and magnanimity in defending the Faith and Church of Christ Being now come to celebrate the day of the death of our glorious King Lucius for the joy that he enjoyed thereby Mr. Br. f. 346. 1. and bewail it for the unspeakable losse this Nation received thereby we are to fall into some difficulties both of the time and place thereof William of Malmesbury in his Manuscript-History of Glasten and other old Antiquities do prove that St. Damianus and Faganus after they had converted this Kingdome continued nine years at Glastenbury at the least King Lucius still living and reigning here Polidor Lilly Hollinshed Stow and others cleave to this Opinion A great Controversie ariseth where this King died many Forreign Authors say That he forsook his Crown and Kingdome and became a Clergyman went into Germany to convert that Nation was Bishop of Curre and there was Martyred the day of his death is agreed upon by all to have been on the third day of December but if those Authors who transport this our blessed King into Germany look but upon what hath been said before they shall find that it was not Lucius who was actually King of Brittain and converted by the means of St. Elutherius but another Lucius who was indeed Son of a King of Brittain and might have been King himself had he not been banished for the reason before related and this was that St. Lucius who with his sister St. Emerita were both Crowned with the glorious Crown of Martyrdome in Germany That our first Christian K. Lucius could not be Bishop of Curre is evident for having been so long King here he was so disabled for Age that he was nor capable of such a journey Further they which
hold he was Bishop of Curre in Germany and Martyred there say his Martyrdome was about the year of Christ 182. whereas this our King was living nine years after besides they say that St. Emerita was his sister But it is evident by our Histories that our first Christian King Lucius had neither brother sister nor child begotten by King Coillus in his old Age having no other Child whereby it is evident that this King Lucius had neither brother nor sister and with what probability can it be affirmed that a King so holy and loving of his Countries good and quiet having no Christian Heir to suceeed him would or in conscience could forsake his Native Country and Subjects in such a case that were in justice belonging to his chiefest charge which no other could execute to preach unto Forreigners which many of his Subjects and others could and at his request most willingly would have performed We read in Histories that many descended of Regal race have in such cases been taken forth of their Monasteries and Religious Conversation to govern Kingdoms destitute of Heirs but that a King so vertuous wise loving and beloved of his Country having no such Heir to succeed him but by such course to expose and leave his Kingdom to so many certain miseries and calamities as fell upon Brittain by the death of King Lucius and probably were foreseen of all wisemen did might would or could take such a course Antiquities have no example Justice denyeth it Charity cannot allow it Seb. Munster Cosmog l. 3. c. 344. Mr Bro. f 349. Coxion Hist part f in K. Lucius Manu Hist Antiq. in Luco Sebastian Manster saith plainly that whereas there is a Vulgar report he maketh no more of any Lucius preaching there that one Lucius preached there if it were so it could not possibly be our first Christian King Lucius for he never went out of Brittain but very Godly lived and dyed here Gaspar Bruchius doth also plainly reject all that History as it is applyed by some to our Lucius and among other reasons addeth that the great difference of years will not permit it to be true An old French Manuscript joyneth in the same leaveth him living dying buried in Brittain And if we come home to our own Historians and Antiquities most likely to make the most true and certain relation of this their so renowned King they set down the year the day Antiq. Eccles St. Petri Cornhil Harding Cron. c. 51. f. 44. and particular place of his death and the very Church one of his own foundation where his body was interred the day and year they say was the 201. year of Christ the third day of October For the place our old Brittish History saith he dyed at Glocester and was with honour buried there in the Cathedral Church so likewise writeth Ponticus Virunnius Matthew of Westminster setting down the time as before saith he dyed at Glocester and was honourably buried there in the Cathedral The old Manuscript of St. Peters Church in Cornhil at London avoucheth from divers Antiquities that he was buried at Glocester where the Church of St. Francis was after builded being at the time of his death the Cathedral and Episcopal Church of the City John Harding also witnesseth of this Kings death and burial at Glocester At Caerglove buried after his dignity And not to exclude the testimony of our later writers in this relation in their Theater of Great Brittain written and composed by divers able Historians Theater of great Brittain l. 6. c. 9. sect 18. and published with common applause they make this History of King Lucius his death in Brittain a matter without question true and thus scoffingly condemn those writers which would carry him to end his dayes in Germany That this Lucius be the Apostle of the Banarians or that his sister Emerita was crowned with the flames of Martyrdom Harrison disc of Brittain Stow Howe 's Hist fifteen years after his death I leave to the credit of Aegidius Schudus and Hermanus Schedelius the Reporters Others of them plainly say Lucius was buried at Glocester yet this general consent of Antiquaries for his first burial at Glocester doth nothing hinder but as the known devotion both of the Brittains as Saxons after them towards holy Relicks did often and with great devotion and solemnity remove the bodies of holy Saints or parts of them for their greater honour So it might or did after fall out with the whole body of this renowned King or some part thereof And the Tradition of Winchester is that the whole body of King Lucius or a great part thereof being once removed before probably to Caerleon for some say he was buried there was the second time translated thither and there lyeth in the body of the great Church under a marble stone elevated about two foot from the pavement the same stone being now broaken in two places having upon it and those holy Relicks a cross of seven great brass buttons whereof 5. are set down in length the other two making the perfect figure and forme of the cross one on each side of the others making the length And this Reverend Translation of St. Lucius his body to divers places in Brittain is sufficiently insinuated by the old Author of the French Manuscript History who although he confidently affirmeth that King Lucius dyed at Glocester yet he addeth that he was afterwards buried in the chief See at Caerleon and this he saith was in the year of Christs incarnation 196. four or five years sooner then others before have set down his death except the Manuscript Compilation which hath the same computation of his death saying Sepultus est anno Incarnationis Domini 196. herede carens he was buried in the 196. year after the incarnation of our Lord wanting Issue or heir And both to assure us further of the undoubted truth of those Histories which testifie the death and burial of St. Lucius to have been in Brittain and not in any forraign Region as also to give us better notion and trial what honour peace and quiet spiritual and temporal with other happiness this Kingdom enjoyed by King Lucius life and lost them by the loss of him it is the constant agreement of Antiquities that Brittain now made by his death destitute not only of so worthy a King but also of any certain heir or successor of that Regal race fell to intestine discord and variance by which it was miserably afflicted long time upon that occasion a late Author tells us King Lucius dyed without issue by reason whereof after his decease the Brittains fell at variance which continued about the space of fifteen years as Fabian thinketh howbeit the old English Cronicle affirmeth that the contention among them remained fifty years though Harding affirmeth but four which his words of Hardings opinion that this variance among them continued but 4. years are to be amended for Harding setteth down
contains in it 248. Parishes and in them 18. Market Towns the chief whereof is Dorchester as that which doth denominate the whole County A Town not much famous for much else then that it hath long been and doth still continue the honorary title of those noble Personages which have been severally Marquesses and Earls OF DORSET 1 Osmond de Sees E. 2 John Beaufort Marquess L. Adm. 3 Thomas Beaufort Earl Duke of Exceter Lord Chancellor and Lord Admiral 4 Edmund Beaufort E. and Marque 5 Henry Beaufort Marq. 6 Edmund Beaufort Marq. 7 Thomas Grey Marq. 8 Thomas Grey Marq. 9 Henry Grey Marq. D. of Suffolk 10 Thomas Sackvile Lord Buckhurst created Earl of Dorset 10 Jacobi Lord Treasurer and Chancellour of Oxford 11 Robert Sackvile E. 12 Richard Sackvile E. 13 Edward Sackvile E. Lord Chamberlain to the Queen 14 Edward Sackvile now Earl of Dorset 1661. The Earles of Salisbury and Exceter RObert Sitsylt came into Wales with Robert Fitz Hamon who conquered Jestin Prince of Glamorganshire an inheretrix by whom he had Halterennis and other lands in Herefordshire and Glocestershire James Sitsylt Esq  Iohn Sitsylt Esq The Lady Maud de Frenes Eustace Sitsylt Esq Elianor daughter to Sir VVill. Pembridge Knight Sir Baldwin Sitsylt Knight temp Hen. secundi daughter to Maurice de Brampton Esq Gerald Sitsylt Esq Mavil daughter to Sir Moygne Knight Robert Sitsylt Esq Alice daughter to Sir Rob. Trogois Knight James Sitsylt Esq Isabell daughter to Sir John Knell Knight Gerald Sitsylt Esq Margaret Daughter to Stephan de Ber. John Sitsylt Esq Sibil daughter to Robert of Ewyas Esquire Sir John Sitsylt Knight Alicia sister to Sir Richard Baskervile Knight Iohn Sitsylt Esq Jone daughter to sir Richard Monington Knight Thomas Sitsylt Esq Margaret daughter and heir to Gilbert de Winston Esq Philip Sitsylt Esq Margaret daughter to Iohn Philips Esq Richard Sitsylt Knight Cecil Esq Margaret daughter to Philip Vaughan Esq David Cecil Esq  Sir William Cecil Baron Burley Knight of the Garter c. Mary sister to Sir Iohn Cheek Kt. Rob. Cecil E. of Salisbury Elizab. d. to W. Brook L. of Cob. Will. Cecil E. of Salisbury 1661 Katherine d. to Tho. Howard E. of Suffolk Charles Lord Cranbourne Iane daughter to Maxwell Esq groom of the bed-Chamber to K. Charles of glorious memory Tho. Cecil E. of Exceter Dorothy d. and co-h to I. Nevil L Latimer Will Cecil E. of â—xceter Eliz. d h. of Ed. Mannors E. of Rutland D. Cecil now E of Exceter 1661 descended from a younger son of William L. Burley Eliz. d. to Iohn Egerton Earl of Bridgwater SALISBURY Salisbury is the chief City of Wilts it was at first seated high upon an hill as being a place designed for strength and war yet honoured for a while with a Bishops See and a fair Cathedral But the Bishops and the Clergy finding no good quarter amongst the Soldiers which were there in Garrison and being destitute of water upon so high an hill about the time of Rich. I. began to leave it and plant themselves down lower by the water-side being once setled there and raising a new Cathedral for Gods publick service the people also followed after and left old Sarum to it self which in short time became so totally deserted that now the ruines of it are hardly visible but for new Salisbury that grew up presently to a great renowne pleasantly seated on the river with water in every street thereof and for the populousness of the place plenty of provision and spacious market place and a fair Town hall is esteemed to be the second City of all that Tract and which adds no small lustre to it a place that hath been very fortunate in those eminent persons on whom the Kings of England have bestowed the title of Earls of Salisbury Earles of Salisbury Patrick d' Eureux Will. d' Eureux VVill Longespee base son to K. Henry 2. who married Ella daughter of VVill. d' Eureux VVilliam Longespee VVill. de Montacute VVill. de Mont. John de Mont. Tho. de Mont. Richard Nevil who married Elianor daughter of Thomas Mont. Lord Ch. Richard Nevil Earl of VVarwick George Duke of Clarence who maried Isabel daughter of Richard Earl of VVarwick Edward eldest son of King Richard 3. and Anne the second daughter of Richard Nevil Margaret daughter of George Duke of Clarence created Countess of Salisbury by King Henry 8. Robert Cecil Viscount Crambourne created Earl of Salisbury 3. Jacob. VVilliam Cecil now Earl of Salisbury 1661. EXCETER Exceter is now the chief City of Devonshire a fair and goodly seat it is placed upon the Eastern bank of the River Ex from whence it had the name of Exceter In circuit it contains within the walls about a mile and a half besides the suburbs which every way stretch out to a great length and in the circuit there are numbered fifteen Parish Churches besides the Cathedral the whole environed with deep ditches and very stronge wals having many Towers therein very well disposed and yet the animosity of the Inhabitants is a greater strength unto it then the walls or ditches whereof they have given notable proof in these later times to their great honour here followeth a Catologue of the Dukes Marquesses and Earles John Holland E. of Huntington made Duke of Exceter by Richard 2. Thomas Beaufort E. of Dorset Lord Ch. and Adm. made Duke of Exceter by King Henry 5. Iohn Holland Duke Lord Adm. Henry Holland Duke Lord Adm. Henry Courtney E. of Devon created Marquesse of Exceter by K. Henry 8. Thomas Cecil Lord Burley created Earl of Exceter 3. Jaco VVilliam Cecil David Cecil now Earl 1661. THE SECOND BOOK Arma Paterna year 877 ANARAWD the Son of Roderick began his Reign over VVales in the year of Christ 877. year 878 The year 878. died Fedan the son of Melht a noble man of VVales and the second year following there was a great Battel fought by the Danes and the Englishmen of Mercia against the Welshmen upon the River Conway where the VVelshmen had the Victory and this was called the Revenge of the Death of Roderick year 879 About this time Eveneth the Son of Bledrid a Baron of VVales died Forrain and alwaies pernicious and Anarawd King or Prince of North-Wales came with a great Army of English-men and made War against his Brother Cadeth and spoiled the country of Caerdigan and Ystradgwy The Danes being put hard to their shifts by Alfred left their Wives and children in Essex and passed spoiling the Land to * Forsan Cowbridge Quadbridge upon Severn and so passed the River and spoiled the countries of Brechnock Gwentland and Gwenthwg About the year 900. Igmond with a great number of Souldiers came to Anglesey and the Welshmen gaue him a Battel at Molerein There be some Brittish Copies of this History which affirm that this battel between Igmond Captain of the black Nations and the Brittains wherein Mervin was slain was
the cause ended This shall be sufficient for this time Some Authors write that Lhewelin ap Sitsylht who was after Prince of Wales assisted Edmund a Saxon King and entered Cumberland taking the two sons of Dummaille King of the Province put out their eyes and then gave that Country to Malcolme to be holden of him with condition to keep the North part of the Realm from incursion of enemies the which condition was afterwards but slenderly peformed This Malcome was the son of Donald King of Scotland and was the next King after Constantine the third being in number the 76. In the year 942. died Hubert Bishop of St. Davids and the year following Marclois Bishop of Bangor and Vssa the son of Lhavyr died the year 944. the Englishmen entered Wales with a stronge army and spoyled Strad Clwid and returned home At which time Conan the son of Elise was put in danger of death by poyson and Everus Bishop of St. Davids died In the year 948 died Howel Dha the noble and worthy King or Prince of Wales whose death was much lamented by all men for he was a Prince that loved peace and good order and that feared God he left behind him four sons Owen Run Roderike and Edwin betwixt whom and the sons of Edwal there ensued great wars for the chief rule of Wales as shall appear in the history following After the death of Howel Dha his sons did divide Southwales and Powis betwixt them And Janaf and Jago the second and third sons of Edwal Voel ruled North VVales because their elder brother Meyric was not a man worthy to rule who coming of the elder house would have had the chief rule of all Wales which the sons of Howel Dha denyed them And thereupon Jago or James and Janaf entred Southwales with a great power against whom came Owen the son of Howel and his brethren and fought together at the hills of Carno where Jago and Janaf had the victory And the year following the said brethren did twice enter into Southwales and spoyled Dinet and slew Dwnwalhon Lord thereof And within a while after dyed Roderike one of the sons of Howel Dha year 952 In the year 952. the sons of Howel gathered their strength together against Janaf and Jago and entred their land at the river of Conwy where they fought a cruel battail at a place called Gurgustu or Lhanrwst as some think where a great number were slain upon either side as Anarawd the son of Gwyriad or Vriel the son of Roderike the great and Edwin the son of Howel Dha in the which battail were overthrown the sons of Howel whom Janaf Jago pursued to Caerdigan destroyed their Country vvith fire svvord About this time Yarthyr the son of Mervyn vvas drovvned In the year 958 was a wonderful hot summer when Gwyan the son of Gwiriad the son of Roderike dyed After the which heat there followed a great plague in March ensuing In those dayes Jago and Janaf by force and strength ruled all Wales as they thought good And yet for all their power Abloic King of Ireland landed in Môn and having burnt Holyhead spoyled the country of Lhyyn year 961 In the year 961 the sons of Edwin the son of Colhoyn were slain after they had destroyed all the country to Towyn About this time Meyric the son of Cadvan Rytherch Bishop of St. Davids and Cadwalhon ap Owen departed out of this transitory life Not long after the country of Northwales was exceedingly spoyled by the army of Edgar King of England The cause of this was the not payment of the tribute that the King of Abersfraw by the lawes of Howel Dha was to pay to the Kings of London in the end there was a peace concluded Jo. Cast Holl. pag. 232. Wolves destroyed by the Prince of W. for King Edgar understanding what hurt the Countrys of England and Wales received daily by reason of the great multitude of Wolves that then abounded especially in Wales which destroyed much sheep and otherwayes did great harme released the tribute of money appointed by the said lawes of Howel Dha and bound the Princes of Northwales to pay him yearly certain Wolves for his tribute so to be released of the other tribute in mony which the said Prince performed untill he had left never a Wolf in all Wales or England year 966 In the year 966. Roderike the son of Edwal Voel was slain by the Irishmen by whom Abersfraw was destroyed The next year after fell a great debate betwixt the two sons of Edwal Jago and Janaf which had ruled joyntly together from the death of Howel Dha till that time and shortly after Jago having taken his brother Janaf by force very cruelly kept him in prison a long time about the which time Eneon the son of Owen Prince of Southwales wan seised to himself the land of Gwyr And in the year â—69 Machis the son of Haroald with an army of Danes did enter into Anglesey and â—poyled 〈◊〉 year 969 Theâ—â— â—â—â—nes were suffered by Edgar to inhabit quietly through all England till they â—â—re as strong as the Englishmen and then they fell to such ryotousness and drinking that â—â—ch mischief ensued thereof A law against immoderate drinking whereupon Edgar made a law that every man should drink by measure and caused a certain mark to be set in every pot how deep they should drink and so by these means he somewhat stayed the immoderate ingurgation Not long after that Godfryd the son of Haroald did subdue to himself the whole Isle of Anglesey which he enâ—oyed not long year 972 King Edgar likewise in the year 972 did send a great army to Gaâ—â—â—â—on upon Vsk which shortly turned back without doing any notable act Caerleon upon Vsk The next year following Howel the son of Janaf raised a great power against his Uncle Jago for the deliverance of his father out of prison and overcame his Uncle in fight whom he chased out of the land and took his eldest Unckle Meyric the son of Edwal and put out both his eyes and kept him in prison where he dyed shortly after leaving behind him two sons Edwal and Jonaval of the which Edwal came afterwards the most worthy Princes of Wales Howel notwithstanding he had set his father at liberty yet took upon himself the whole rule of the land for his lifetime He had three brethren all men of great estimation Meyrich Janaf and Cadwallon whose lines shall ensue hereafter Howel Son of Janaf After that Howel the son of Janaf had expelled his Uncle from the land Dunwalhon goes to Rome he took the rule to himself And at that time Dwnwalhon Prince of Strad Cwlyd took his journey to Rome Then dyed Edwalhon the son of Owen year 976 The year 976 Eneon the son of Owen King of Southwales destroyed the land of Gwyr the second time the year ensuing Howel the son of Janaf with a great army both of Welshmen
1038. Hernon Archbishop of Menevia or St. Davids died a man both learned and godly the next year following Howel King of Southwales gathered a great power of his friends and strangers and entered the land intending to overcome it again wherefore Gruffith like a worthy Prince came with all speed to succour his people and meeting with Howel at Pencadair after he had incouraged his Soldiers gave him battail and overthrew him and pursued him so narrowly that he took Howels wife whom he had brought to the field to see the overthrow of Gruffith which chanced otherwise whom Gruffith liked so well that he kept her for his Concubine year 1041 In the year 1041. Howel came again to Southwales and remained there a while and shortly after a number of strangers landed in Westwales and spoyled the Country against whom Howel gathered his forces and fought with them and drove them to their ships with much loss At this time Conan the son of Jago who had fled to Ireland to save his life with the power of Alfred King of Develin whose daughter Ranulph he had married entered Northwales and by treason had taken Gruffith the King and carried him towards the ships but when it was known the Country upon a suddain followed the Irishmen and overtaking them rescued their Prince requiting their foes with much slaughter forcing them to their ships who returned with Conan to Ireland The year following Howel the son of Owen Lord of Glamorgan dyed being a man full of years Then Howel ap Edwin called to his succour Danes and Englishmen with all the power he could make in Southwales whereof Gruffith being certified gathered his power together in Northwales and came couragiously to meet his enemies whom he had twice before discomfited and overcame them and chased them as far as the spring of the River Towy where after a long and dangerous battail Howel was slain and his army routed and so narrowly pursued that few escaped alive After whose death Ritherck and Rees the sons of Ritherck ap Iestyn aspiring again to the rule and government of Southwales which their father had once obtained gathered a great army as well of Strangers as out of Gwentland and Glamorgan and met with Gruffith King of Wales who after his accustomed manner detracting no time but couragiously animating his men with the remembrance of their former fortune and divers victories under his standard joyned battail with his enemies whom he found disposed to abide and to win again the honour they had lost wherefore when they met the fight was cruell and bloody and continued till night which easily departed both armies being weary with fighting and either fearing other returned to their Countreys to gather more strength This year Ioseph Bishop of Teilo or Lhandaf died at Rome The Bishop of Landaff dyeth at Rome The land being thus quieted Gruffith ruled all Wales without any trouble till about two years after the Gentlemen of Ystrad Towy did by treason kill 140 of the Prince his best Soldiers to revenge whose death the King Gruffith destroyed all Dinet and Ystrad Towy Here is also to be noted that such snow fell this year that it lay upon the earth from the Kalends of Ianuary to the fourteenth of March. In the year 1050 Conan the son of Iago did gather an army of his friends in Ireland minding to recover his inheritance again as he sailed towards Wales there arose such a tempest that it scattered his navy abroad and drowned the most part of his ships so that he was disappointed of his purpose and lost his labour This Earl Godwin that wicked Earl of Kent whose lands were swallowed up by the Sea and as this day called Godwins sands pernicious and terrible to Navigators as late experience hath taught us About this time Godwin being summoned to appear and answer before King Edward Conf. at Glocester the guilty Earl Godwin fearing the Kings displeasure who could never brook him since the death of his brother Alfred gathered an army out of Kent and other Countries where his sons ruled or had power and so came tovvards Glocester reporting abroad that all his preparation was made to resist Gruffith Prince of Wales who as they affirmed was ready with an army to invade the Marches but King Edward being certified by the Welshmen that there was no such thing in hand commanded Godwin to send back his army Matth. West writeth that about this time to wit anno 1053. Rees the brother of Gruffith King of Wales was slain in a place called Balendane which place since was called Pen Rees and lately belonged to Sir Ed. Morgan Baronet but sold from the house as he did much more to the ruin of his family though the fault be laid upon upon his son I say no more but God knows how 〈◊〉 whose head was presented to the King at Glocester the day before the Epiphany According to the computation of Authours neer these times Machbeth King of Scotland caused a noble man named Bancho to be cruelly murthered whereupon Fleance the son of the sad Bancho escaping the hands of Macebeth fled to Gruffith ap Lhewelyn Prince of Wales where being joyfully received and entertained courteously he grew into such favour with the said Prince that he thought nothing too good for him But in processe of time Fleance forgetting the courtesy to him shewed fell in love with the Princes daughter and got her with child which thing the Prince took in ill part that he in rage caused Fleance to be killed holding his daughter in most vile estate of servitude for so suffering her self to be de flowered by a stranger At length she was delivered of a son which was named Walter who in few years proved a man of great courage and valour in whom from his childhod appeared a certain noblenesse of mind and ready to attempt any great enterprise This Walter on a time fell out with one of his companions who in that great heat of contention objected unto him that he was but a bastard begotten in an unlawful bed which reproach so grieved Walter that he fell upon the other and slew him whereupon fearing the punishment of the law he fled into Scotland and there fell into the company of those Englishmen which were come thither with Queen Margaret the sister of Edgar Edeling amongst whom he shewed himself so discreet and sober in all his demeanour that he was highly esteemed of all men and so attaining to higher reputation and credit was afterwards imployed in the affairs of the Commonwealth at length made Lord Steward of Scotland receiving the King revenues of the whole realme Of the which Office he and his posterity retained that Sirname of Steward ever after from whom descended the most noble Kings of Scotland besides many other Dukes Marquesses Earls and Barons of great fame and honour Whosoever desireth to be more fully satisfyed in this matter let him read and peruse E. Holenshed and he
King of Northwales with Cadogan ap Blethyn who then ruled Southwales entred the Land of Caerdigan and killed a great number of Normans being not able any longer to suffer their great Pride and Cruelty but after their Return the English Captains sent to England for more men and thought privately to make a Road into Northwales which journey was discovered unto Cadogan who gathered his Power and met with them in the Wood or Forrest of Yspys and set upon them with great Hue and Cry and they defended themselves manfully but in the end they were put to flight with great loss and Cadogan followed them hard and spoiled the Countrey of Cadogan and Dinet and destroyed all the Castles saving two which were Pembroke and Rydeors which he could not get and so returned to Powis with much Joy King Rufus not able to prevail against the Welsh to his dishonour returneth home year 1093 In the year 1093. the Normans that inhabited the Countrey of Glamorgan spoiled the Territories of Kydwely and Yâ—rad Tywy and left them without any Inhabitants When VVilliam Rufus had been informed of the great slaughter of his Subjects as well in Cheshire Shropshire VVorcestershire and Herefordshire as in VVales which Gruffith ap Conan and the sons of Blethyn Convyn had done he gathered his power together and entred VVales at Mountgomery which Castle being lately overthrown by the VVelshmen he re-edified again but the VVelshmen kept so the straits of the mountains with the Woods and Rivers that the King did no good but lost his labour and his men therefore he returned back to his great Dishonour year 1094 In the year 1094. dyed VVilliam the son of Baldwyn who at the Kings commandement had built the Castle of Rydcors after whose death the Castle was forsaken by his men and the Inhabitants of Gwyr Brecknock Gwent and Gwent Ihwc Welshmen hardly overcome unless by Treason among themselves cast from their Necks the burthen of the Normans that had won their Countries and held them in subjection and chased them out of their Territories but shortly after they returned again with greater Power Then the countrymen detesting their insolency met with them at a place called Celly Tarvawc and couragiously encountred them so that they put them to flight with great Slaughter and chased them back again out of the Land nevertheless the greedy Normans would not give over but recruiting returned again to Brecknockshire making a vow to leave no living thing within that Countrey it is not good to reckon before mine Host nor count our Chickins before they be hatch'd for the country people flying before them staied at a strait passage and killed many of them About this time Roger Montgomery Earl of Salop and Arundel Powel fol. 153. and VVilliam Fitz Eustace Earl of Glocester though I read of no such man for Master Mills fol. 358. as also other Authors set Robert base Son to King Henry the First the first Earl of that place Arnold de Harecourt and Neale le Vicount were slain between Cardiff and Brecknock by the VVelshmen and VValter Evereux Earl of Sarum who dyed in Normandy and Hugh Earl Gurney were there hurt Patrick de Evereux was first Earl of Sarum or Salisbury created so by King Stephen and therefore could not be in this time but it is he that was son to Walter Evereux Mr. Mills fol. 1034. who built the Abby of Bradenstock 1139. the fift of King Stephen and being an old man did take upon him the habit of a Monk there others say this Walter was Earl of Rosemer When the Normans saw that they had all the loss they manned and victualed the Castles which formerly they had builded and returned home but in their retreat Gruffith and Ivor the sons of Edverth ap Cadogan met them unexpectedly at Aberlhech and encountring them slew most part of them the rest escaping into England Notwithstanding the Norman Captains defended the Castles valiantly and kept them till they were driven by force for safeguard of their lives to forsake them then the ancient Inhabitants possessed their own quietly Moreover certain Lords of Northwales namely Vokthed the son of Edwin ap Grono and Howel ap Grono with the Children of Cadogan ap Blethyn of Powis land Pembroke Castle built by a Norman gathered a competent Army and passed through Caerdiganshire to Dynet which Country a little before the King had given to Arnulph son to Roger Montgomery who had builded the Castle of Pembroke and appointed Keeper and Governour thereof one Giraldo de Windsore and there burned spoiled and destroyed all the countrey except Pembroke Castle which they could not win and so returned home with great booty After the return of these Lords Girald issued out of the Castle and spoiled the lands of Saint Davids and took many Prisoners The year following William Rufus returning from Normandy to England Fasting and Prayer used by the Welsh in their greatest danger and hearing of the great slaughter of his men committed by the Welshmen gathered all his forces and with great pomp and pride entred VVales But the Brittains fearing the great strength of the King put all their hope onely in Almighty God returning to him in Fasting Prayer and Repentance of their sins and he that never forsaketh the penitent and contrite heart heard their prayers so that the Normans and Englishmen durst not enter the land but such as presumed were slain and the King returned with small Honour after he had built certain Castles in the Marches In the year following viz. 1096. The Arms of Hugh Montgomery Hugh de Montgomery who as his Father before him had for his Arms Azure a Lyon rampant Or within a border his Father before spoken of builded the Abbey of Shrewsbury wherein he was buried the Earl of Arundel and Salop whom the Welshmen call Hugh Goch that is Hugh with the red head and Hugh Vral that is Hugh the fat Earl of Chester who bore for his Arms Azure six Garbs 3 2. and 1. Or. and many Nobles more did gather a strong and powerfull army and entred into Northwales The Welsh ever their own destroyers being thereto moved by certain Lords of the Country But Gruffith ap Conan the Prince and Cadogan ap Blethyn fled to the Hills and Mountains for their defence as not being of force sufficient to fight the Earls neither durst they well trust their own men and so the Earls approached the Isle of Môn or Anglesey where they built the Castle of Aberthiennawc Then Gruffith and Cadogan went to Anglesey thinking to defend the Isle Aberthiennawe Castle built by the Normans and sent for succour to Ireland but found there little comfort and now the Treason began to break forth for Owen ap Edwin who was the Princes chief Councellour and his Father in Law whose Daughter Gruffith had married having himself also married Everyth the Daughter of Convyn Aunt to Cadogan was the chief Caller of
written of the same as also by the names of the tunes and measures used amongst them at this day The third sort called Atteneaid as those who do sing to the Instrument whilst an other doth play and those as yet be in use in Wales This statute or decree here mentioned doth not only prescribe and appoint what reward every of the said Minstrils ought to have and at whose hands but also of what behaviour and conversation they ought to be to wit to make no debates no vagabonds nor Ale-house hunters no drunkards nor brawlers nor Whoremongers no thieves nor companions of such In which things if they offend every man by the said statute is made and officers are authorised to arrest and punish them yea and take from them all that they have then about them and they are also in the same statute forbidden to enter into any mans house or to make any song of any man without special licence of the party himself And this statute or decree hath been oftentimes allowed by publick authority of the chief Magistrates of that Country as appeareth by sundry commissions directed to divers Gentlemen in that behalf Owen Gwyneth soâ— of Gruffith ap Conan The name of King ceaseth in Wales After the death of Gruffith ap Conan his sons divided his lands betwixt them after the manner of Wales And Owen surnamed Gwineth the eldest son was made Prince of Northwales for the name of King is no further used in the Brittish book who in the beginning of his reign Caermarthyn and three castles destroyed together with his brethren made their expedition into Southwales and overthrew the Castle of Strad Meyric and Castle Stephan and Humphreys Castle and burned the town of Caermarthyn and returned home with much honour At this time dyed John Archbishop of Lhanbadarn who for his godly life is canonized amongst the Saints In the year 1140. Cynwric the son of Owen was slain by the men of Madoc ap Meredyth ap Blethyn ap Convyo About the year 1141 Madoc ap Ednerth a man of great estimation in Wales died and the sons of Blethyn ap Gwyn slew Meredyth ap Howel Two noble Welshment slain by the treason of the Flemmings In the year 1142. Howel-ap Meredyth ap Rytherc of Cantref Bychan and Rees ap Howel were slain by treason of the Flemmings likewise Howel-ap Meredyth ap Beethyn was slain by the treachery of his own men Then also Howel and Cadogan the sons of Madoc ap Enerth did kill each other And shortly after there fell a variance betwixt Anarawd son to Gruffith ap Rees Prince of Southwales and his father in law Cadwalader the son of Gruffith ap Conan and brother to Prince Owen Gwineth By homebred quarrels the Welsh destroy one another and make way for the Norman who from words grew to blowes where Anarawd was slain the hope and prop of Southwales for the which thing Prince Owen took such displeasure at his brother that he and his son Howel gathered an army against him and destroyed all his country and burnt his Castle of Aberistwith for Cadwalader himself had fled to Ireland and had hired Octer son to Octer and the son of Turkel and the son of Cherulfe with a great number of Irishmen and Scots for 2000 markes to his succour and landed at Abermenay in Caernarvonshire against whom the Prince came with great forces but before the armies met there was a peace concluded betwixt the brethren which when the Irishmen understood they detained Cadwalader as prisoner for their wages he delivered unto them 2000 heads of cattle Wales plentiful of Cattel besides many prisoners and spoyles that were taken in the Country But as soon as the Prince had notice that his brother was set at liberty he fell upon the Irishmen and slew a great number of them and recovered all the cattel with the prisoners and other spoyles as many as escaped alive returned home with great losse and shame Flemmings Normans defeated by the Welsh About the year 1143 Howel and Gadogan the sons of Prince Owen gathered an army against the Flemmings and Normans and gave them an overthrow at Aberteini and keeping the town returned home with great honour also this year dyed Sulien ap Rythmarck a man of great knowledg one of the Colledge of Lhanpardarn Carmarthen Castle built Neer this time Gilbert Earl of Clare came with a great power to Dynet and built the castle of Carmarthen and the castle of the sons of Vtchtryd Then also Hugh Mortimer slew Meiryc ap Madoc ap Ryrid and Meredyth ap Madoc ap Edwerth Cadelth the son of Gruffith ap Rees Prince of South Wales won the castle of Dynevowr which Earl Gilbert had built and after he and his brethern Meredyth and Rees gathered their powers and laid seige to the castle of Carmarthen which was yielded unto them reserving only the lives to them of the Garrison Carmarthen Castle yielded to the Welsh And from thence they conducted their army before the castle of Lhan Stephan where the Normans and Flemmings meeting with them had a great overthrow and so the castle was reduced Whereupon the Normans and Flemmings inhabiting that country all about The Normans Flemmings overthrown by the Welsh gathered their power their captains and leaders were the sons of Girald and William de Hay who laid seige to the same castle without discovery But Meredyth ap Gruffith to whose custody the castle was committed encouraged his men to fight and defend the place and that which was wanting in him in strength for he was very aged he supplied in courage and discretion he suffered his enemies to scale the Walls and when the Ladders were full he gave the Watch word and signal A politick stratagem of the Welsh and his Souldiers did both manfully and with great dextery over-turn the Ladders with certain Engines contrived for such purposes and maimed many both armed men and expert Souldiers putting the rest to flight Shortly after died Run the son of Prince Owen of North VVales a fair and goodly young man whose death when it came to his fathers ears did so trouble him that no kinde of pleasure could comfort his heavy heart so that he spent the night in tears and the day in sadness till God who took compassion upon the poor remnants of the Brittains Mould Castle a curb to the Welsh even as he had discomforted the Prince with the death of his son so he did glad his sorrowful heart with the overthrow of his enemies for there was a Castle at the Mould very strong and well manned which did trouble the whole Countrey and had been oftentimes assaulted but never won Prince Owen levied an Army and beleaguered it yet the Garrison defended it and endured many assaults Mould Castle utterly dismantled by the Brittains at last maugre all their endeavours the presence of the Prince did so encourage his men that they
now it is called a name when Locrinus entered into Soveraignty unknown Locrinus thus invested in his Principality as much as could be in a Land not formerly or at least by savage People or Gyants inhabited made ready to his hand His Brother with such Regiments as were allotted to him to Colonize and people his Part being retired into his own Quarters or Patrimony whilst by his own Industry and Advice of such as he made use of in a matter of so great importance was endeavouring to frame a modell how to Govern and Uphold this his new Plantation an unexpected Enemy appears Humber with a Navy arrives and having with him a sufficient Army of war-like Huns sets upon Albanact whose thoughts were more busied how to settle his People and frame his Commonwealth then to oppose an Enemy distressed Albanact is put to his shifts whilst the Scythian King for so most ancient Writers onely call him takes occasion by the Foretop and making use of his opportunity fiercely assaults the Albanian Prince and with bloody slaughter and the death of Albanact makes way for himself and Followers to intrude into his Possessions who as yet had scarce time to call them his own Fame whose vigilant eyes never sleep with an exasperating Trumpet quickly blowes this unfortunate Newes into the Eares of Locrinus he to revenge the Dishonour done and the Death of his Brother and also to enjoy that which now by right was fallen unto him but above all to remove so dangerous and powerful a Neighbour or rather Enemy summons all his Nobles and gathers together all the force he possibly could make and with a mind full of Revenge Resolution and Courage Advanceth and with speedy Marches setteth forwards to Fight the Scythian before he take to Deep root in Albania Camber is not slow to second this action as a thing which he conceives deeply to concern himself and therefore unites his Forces with his Brothers that thereby the Victory may be more certaine and the losse lesse considerable Desire quickens actions and resolute souls seem rather to flye then walk The Armies meet the Brittains inflamed with revenge for the Death of Albanact who was their fellow Souldier and Traveller Son of their Deceased King brother to the present breath nothing but Death and Confusion The Scythian with like Valour and Courage thinks no danger too great to make good by the sword what he already purchast and gotten by the same Terrible is the conflict on both sides but fortune after long debate with victory Crowns the Brittaines the Scythians are put to Flight and flying are so hotly pursued that many are drowned and the King himself and as the Poet saith of Icarus Icarus Icarias nomine fecit aquas put to such a straite that he was Drowned in that Famous River which from his name hath ever since been called Humber of which Mr. Cambden saith Est certe totius Britanniae aestuarium amplissimum piscosissimum the largest and most full of Fish throughout Britannie Ex aestuantis oceani accessibus adauctum iisdem retro remeantibus suas illiusque aquas vehementissime vasto cum murmure non sine magno navigantium periculo agit unde Nichanus Fluctibus aequoreis nautis suspectior Humber Submersis nomen contulit Humbris aquae And another Poet much to the same purpose saith Dum fugit obstat ei flumen submergitur illic Deque suo tribuit nomine nomen aquae Mr. Cambden in his Britannia setteth down these two Distichons but speaks not a word of the cause or the battel and the reason is easie to be imagined for should he expresse the death of Albanack and the just revenge of Locrine and Camber in behalf of their brother he must needs grant Brute to be Progenitor of the Britains and consequently of the Welsh a Nation which are very little beholding unto him Locrinus is now a Conqueror no fear of further supplies to affront him the day is absolutely his own but unfortunate Prince what a proud Foe clad in steel and with a courage equalizing that of Mars could not effect is done by an Amorous Glance of a Female Creature Estrild Humbers Daughter casts forth such piercing darts from her Charming Eyes that maugre both steel and coat of Male Locrine is wounded to the Heart he sighs complains beggs compassion from her who is his Captive and in conclusion becoms her slave she his Mistress in these bewitching Fetters he reposeth his happiness her enriching Arms he deemes the Trophees of his Victories but fond-man Gwendolena thy abused Lady disgests not a Corrival shee will make thee know quidfoemina possit irata she complains to her Father he acquaints his deerest Friends and all enter into an Association to be revenged Locrinus awakes out of his effeminate dalliances Armes himself to oppose the storme at hand and beat back the threatned danger but too late his Enemies are too powerful the abused Gwendolena too well befriended and leaves justice not to be controuled and thus Locrinus a Conqueror after he Reigned by account of most Authors Twenty Years through his intemperate lust and wanton affection was deprived at one time both of Life and Kingdom leaving his body to be interred in Treynovant Gwendolena Queen Regent of Brittain LOcrinus for his unjust and unlawful Love being thus justly punished the States and Counsellors of the Kingdom elect and chuse Gwendolena the abused and injured Queen during the Nonage and Minority of her Son to fit at the Helm and manage the Affairs of the Kingdome this Lady was daughter to Corinaeus who joyned his navy and came along with Brute and he who Encountered with Gogwagog on the Hills by Dover as some write others say neer Plimmouth in Devon-shire which place this day is called the HAW a hill betwixt the Town and the Sea on whose brow is a spacious and pleasant down yeilding a delightful prospect in which is a Sea mark called the Compasse to direct and guide Navigators passing that way of this conflict betwixt Corineus and Gogmagog Thus writeth a certain Poet Hos avidum belli robur Corinaeus Averno Precipites misit cubitis ter quatuor altum Gogmagog Herculeo suspendit in aere luctu Antaeumque suum scopulo detrusit in aequor Potavitque dato Thetis ebria sanguine fluctus Divisumque tulit mare corpus Cerberus umbram Gwendolena to the eternal memory and glory of her Name and Sex governed this Iland for the space of Fourteen years and then her Son coming to maturity and fit age to undertake so great a burden with the general applause and acclamations of all resigned her Trust and Authority to Madan Madan Son to Locrine and Gwendolena Succeeds in the KINGDOME MAdan Son to Locrine and Gwendolena and Grandchild to Brute being now past his minority his Mother joyfully resignes her Regency and is with generall applause and acclamations seated in his Throne and with all solemnity acknowledged King about the year from the worlds Creation
Horsemen 132. and was named Cohors Miliaria that is to say a company of One thousand and more souldiers This Band hath the preheminence above all the Legions when they go to Fight for they are placed in the Forefront and begin the battel The second Band containeth 555 Footmen and 66 Horsemen of heavy Armour and is called Cohors Quinquegintaria The third band hath also 555 Footmen and 66 Horsemen The Fifth had as many These Five bands are set in array in the first battel The other Five bands have equally each band the like number so that these ten bands make a compleat Legion containing 6100 Footmen and 726. Horsemen King Leill in the end of his Reign fell to sloth and lust whereby civil dissentions arose which ended not in his life He reigned 25 years and was buried at Caleile alias Chester which hath given the honour of Earle to these honourable Families 1. Hugh sirnamed Lupus Azure a Wolfs head erased Argent 2. Richard Son of Hugh Gules crutely Or a Wolfs head erased Arg. 3. Randolph de Meschines Or a Lyon rampant with his tail erected Gules 4. Randolph de Gernoniis Gules a Lyon rampant with his tail erected Arg. 5. Hugh Kivilioc son of Randolph Azure 6 garbs 3. 2. 1. 6. Randolph Blondevil Son of Hugh Azure 3 garbs Or. 7. John le Scot Son to the Lady Maud eldest sister of Randolph Or 3 piles Gules Edward eldest Son to K. Ed. 3. England a label of 3 points Symon de Montfort E. of Leicester after whose death Chester was laid unto the Crown and hath been since united to the Principality of Wales Lud or Lud Hurdribras alias Cicuber KIng Lud his Father being Dead with general applause and consent ascends the Royall Throne of great Brittaine in the Year of the Worlds Creation 4279. as Mr. Fabian accounteth the First businesse which he took in hand was to settle his Kingdom for his Father towards the latter end of his Age addicting himself to sloath and giving way to the youthful sin of lust a vice most hateful in an old Man gave occasion to his Subjects who lived in Ease Wealth and Delights to stir up commotions and dissentions these broyls Lud though young yet wisely endeavours by all means and diligence to suppresse knowing that peace and quiet is the Object and chief effect which all distempers and Wars how just soever aim'd at by his studious endeavours and assistance of faithful Friends and careful Councellours he obtains his desire and having settled all distempers and reduced them to their due order and motion he set his mind wholly upon the beautifying of Britanny and therefore in imitation of his Royal Progenitors he begins a City which he calls Caer gant or Kaer kin which afterwards the Saxons call Canterbury which is to say the Court of Kentishmen True it is that Canterbury is now a Metropolitan Church and Archbishops See but it never had an Archflamen St. Augustine out of an affection of his own though some Authors affirm London according to the general rule of placing Archbishops where Archflamens were and bishops where Flamens was appointed by Pope Gregory to be the place there settled his Archiepiscopal chair For Canterbury it was first a Flamens Seat And the old Manuscript History called Abbreviatios Chronicorum saith in this time and setling of Bishops in King Lucius his Reign That the old Church of St. Martins was builded tunc constructa est extra Cantuariam Ecclesia sancti Martini and to notifie that he meant thereby a Cathedral and Episcopal Church he addeth this when he speaketh of changing Flamens into Bishops and all Histories testifie that the holy Bishop Lethardus which came hither with Queen Bertha before St. Augustin's time used it as his Episcopal See And Canterbury besides the Arch-bishop had another Bishop in that Church of Saint Martin divers hundreds of years and Mr. Lambert the Antiquary of Kent saith from Antiquities St. Martins Church built by the Romans in Canterbury was a bishops See untill the Normans came in and so two in one City thus substitute to the Archbishop Giâ—â—â—us And that Canterbury was a Primates See Mr. Broughton fol. 178. out of other Authors Ex Anacleto hujus Insulae divisionem Canterburie London Caerlegion York and Alba in Scotland by some taken to be St. Andrews Vrbs Legionum Cantuaria Londonia Eboraca Alba unde Albania Provincia were designed Primate Sees for such as Giraldus Cambrensis in his second book to Innocentius the 3. Sir John Price Matthew Parker the first Arch-bishop of Canterbury with others testifie Mr. Cambden calls this City Dorovernum saying that the River Stoure runs most swiftly by it which seems partly to give name unto it for that Durwherne signifies in the Brittish tongue a swift or fierce running river he saith it is Vrbs pervetusta Romanoque seculo proculdubio illustris And Malmesbury tels us Nec adeo magna nec euiliter parva quae terrae positione soli assinis maxima ubertate integro murorum ambitu fluviis irriguae nemorum opportunitate inclyta praeterea maris vicinitate piscium faecunda if any desire to satisfie himself further concerning this famous and glorious Brittish City let him read Mr. Cambden in his description of Kent The next City which King Lud founded was Caerguent Ptolomeus and Antoninus call this City Venta Belgarum the Saxons þinvancesvor the Latines Vintonia at this day Winchester some seem to derive the Etymologie from Vento others from Vine and not a few from Wina the Bishop But Lelands conjecture pleaseth better who from the Brittish word Guin or Guen i. e. white doth derive it and so maketh Caer Guin the White City so ab albedine prisci latini Albam Longam Albam Regiam nominarunt for this venta as the other two Venta Icenorum and Venta silurum in the midst between Chepstow and Caerleon in Monmouthshire in times past a Flamens Seat a City and an University or School of Philosophers Nunc seges est ubi venta fuit the high way â—or road is through the midst of it This City was remarkable in the Romans days In qua textrina sua sacra Imperatores Romani habuisse viderentur their weaving houses for according to Guidus Pancirolus illa Gynecia constituta sunt texendis principis ut militum vestibus navium velis stragulis aliis ad Instruendas mansiones necessariis to weave vestures and garments for Princes and Souldiers sails for ships linnen coverings or coverlids and other necessaries to furnish habitations the Cathedral Church of Winchester saith Godwin according to a respect that I finde in an old Manuscript was first built and erected by King Lucius and to speak further in his words This Church was hallowed and dedicated October the 29. 189. by Faganus and Damianus Bishops and he proveth from the same Antiquity that in the year 309. one Constance was Bishop there and in Saint Dubritius time Godwin Catal.
PORREX FErrex and Porrex the Sons of Gorbodug were joyntly made Rulers of Great Brittain four thousand seven hundred and eleven or as some say thirteen this amity continued for a while betwixt the brothers but ambition of sole command and a Spirit not brooking a Collegue so inflamed Porrex the younger that he intends to lay violent hands upon his elder brother these tidings are brought to Ferrex but the warning comes not so speedily but that the danger is at the heels of it and the elder brother to avoid the snares laid for him hath no other way but to flie into Gallia and there as an humble suppliant to crave aid and succour of a Duke whom Gaufride calls Gunhardus or Suardus who most willingly accords to his desire and furnishing a Navy well provided with Munition as well men as weapons and the very nerves of war sends him back into Brittain Porrex who lets no occasions slip which may advantage his design attends his landing and at his very arrival scarce affording him leisure to order and marshal his forces gives him battel wherein Bellona was so propitious unto him that victory crowned his Souldiers although with the death of his brother and loss or at least discomfiture of all his Army Porrex though some mistake who make Ferrex the surviver being now an absolute King without a Competitor makes himself sure of all the kingdom but long he enjoyed not his unnatural Conquest For the more unnatural mother Idone Widen or Idone whose affection more enclined to her elder Son vows revenge and arming her self with cruelty cruelty indeed before not heard of and taking her Maids to assist her in the night enters Porrex Pavilion where finding him profoundly sleeping these she devils became his Hellish Executioners and after inhumanely tear him to pieces after this most horrid murther followed a Race of people wholly addicted to war and bloodshed daily inventing and contriving broyls and seditions and even in the quietest times of peace blood thirsting insomuch that the weakest went to the wall and he who imagined he had strength enough presumed he had right enough to the Kingdom thus had the Brittains daily domestick Wars till at the length the whole power came into the hands of five Tyrants or petty Lords and Governours who Ruled questionless with Arbitrary power with a sic volo sic jubco but deserve not to be named as Kings of this Island Gaufride affirmeth that after the death of Ferrex and Porrex great discord and civil dissension arose amongst the Brittains which continued long insomuch that five Kings were erected which was a great plague and oppression to the Country Guido de Columna relateth that the Brittains so abhorred the linage and off-spring of Gorbodug partly for the unnatural quarrels and hatred betwixt the two brothers but above all for the horrid inhumane and barbarous cruelty of the mother that had there been any Lawfull Heir to succeed they resolved none of that issue should enjoy the Government this caused a mighty distraction in the Commonwealth insomuch that one took upon him the guiding of Albania or Caledonia now Scotland another seized upon Loegria or England a third took Cambria or Wales and the fourth usurped Cornwall for his share a fifth there was but by many Authors not distinctly specified This difference continued till Mulmutius which Fabian saith was 51. years and to give some light what the names of those five Kings should be he brings An Addition of Robert Record thus The five Kings that be omitted here are found in certain old Pedegrees and although their names be much corrupted in divers Copies yet these are the most agreeable Rudaucus King of Wales Lotenus King of Cornwall Pinnor King of Loegria Statorius King of Scotland Yevan King of Northumberland Quocirca Piremen Loegriae Regem aggreditur praelio interfecit Vitus fol 181. lib. 2. notius ad Mulmut inde factus victor arma tendit in Rudacum Cambriae Regem qui faedere inito cum Albania Rege Staterio conabatur junctis viribus exercitum movere in provincias Mulmutii quibus ille obviam comitatus triginta millibus fortissimorum virorum comissoque diu praelio cum videret differri victoriam usus est fraude similitudinis armorum quibus induti erant hostes ejus atque sic pessundatis regibus ipsis caeteros palantes fugavit ad urbes oppida quibus incensis agrisque devastatis totam omnino insulam suae potestati suaeque Jurisdictioni subjecit ac primus ex auro factum Diadema capite gestavit Quis erat rex quintus Cantii nescitur ex historia Brittanica quae numerat reges quinque nec alios quam cos qui bella gesserunt commemorat tres fortasse quod illi reliqui in societatem venerint aut sponte se subjecerint Where Mulmutius sets upon Piremen or Pinmor as the other Author calls him and kills him in the field and being now victorious and a Conqueror in his first attempt full of courage and boldness he bends all his power and forces against Rudacus King of Wales who having made an offensive and defensive League with Statorius King of Albania with joyned forces and banner displayed had invaded his Territories Mulmutius delays no time but being in the head of a gallant Army consisting of thirty thousand experienced Souldiers gives them the meeting and joyns Battell but thinking victory to hover too long before she enclined to his paâ—t he makes use of a stratagem and counterfeiting the Arms Weapons and habits of his enemies in a friendly appearance gives them a most discourteous and unfriendly overthrow insomuch that the two Kings being quite overthrown he pursues the stragling Souldiers who flie to Towns and fortified places which he presently sets on fire and destroying all round about brings the whole Kingdom under his own power and subjection and being an absolute Monarch he encircles his conquering Temples with a Diadem of purest Gold being the first of the Brittish Kings that ever did the like Who was the fifth King either in Kent or as others say in Northumberland the Brittish Histories do not fully declare only the three who waged war against Mulmutius are expresly treated of the other either for that they combined or submitted are silently passed over After the death and murder of Ferrex and Porrex ended the lineal descent of old Brute but here a curious diver into Antiquities may object How then was the promise in the Prophecy by the Oracle made good that to the Kings of his seed Totius terrae subditus orbis erit This Vniverse shall them obey If after the space of 600 and some few years his Race should be extinct this objection is nothing to the Oracle for it was not specified whether it should be fulfilled in the direct or collateral Line so that if any of a Brittish off-spring should obtain the Dominion over the whole world that is so far as ever any Emperour had command
were all marvellous glad Thus came Camillus to take this Charge of General upon him and found there were twenty thousand good fighting men abroad and well Armed Then got he further ayd also of their Allies and Confederates and prepared daily to go and set upon the enemies So was Camillus chosen now Dictator the second time and went into the City of Veies where he spoke with the Romane Souldiers that were there and leavied a great number of Allies besides to go fight with the enemies as soon as he could But whilst Camillus was thus preparing certain of the Gauls in Rome walking out by chance on that side of the Capitol where Pontius Cominius had gotten up the night before spied in divers places the prints of his feet and hands as he had griped and gotten hold stiâ—l digging to get hold and saw the weeds also and herbs growing upon the Rocks and the earth also in the like manner flat trodden down whereupon they went presently unto the King to let him understand the same who forthwith came to view the place and having considered it well did nothing at that time but when dark night was come he called a company of the lightest Gauls together and that used most to dig in Mountains and said unto them our enemies themselves do shew us the way how to take them which we could not have found out but by themselves for they having gone up before us do give us easily to understand that it is no impossible thing for us to clime up also wherefore we were utterly shamed having already began well if we should fail also to end well and to leave this place as invincible for if it were easie for one man alone by digging to clime up to the top thereof much less is it hard for many to get up one after another so that one do help the other Therefore Sirs I do assure you those that do take the pains to get up shall be honourably rewarded according to their just desert when the King had spoken these words unto the Gauls they fell to it lustily every man to get up and about midnight they began many of them to dig and make steps up to the Rock one after another as softly as could possibly with catching hold the best they could by the hanging of the Rock which they found very steep but nevertheless easier to clime then they took it at the beginning so that the foremost of them being up to the top were now ready to take the wall and to set upon the Watch that slept for there was neither man nor dog that heard them It chanced then there were holy Geese kept in the Temple of Juno which at other times were wont to be fed till their crops were full But victuals being very strait and scant at that time even to finde the men the poor Geese were so hardly handled and so little regarded that they were in a manner starved for lack of meat This Fowl indeed naturally is very quick of hearing and so also very fearfull by nature and being in a manner almost famished with their hard allowance they were so much the more wakefull and easier to be afraid upon this occasion therefore they heard the coming of the Gauls and also began to run up and down and cry for fear with which noise they did wake those that were within the Castle The Gauls being bewrayed by these foolish Geese left their stealing upon them and came in with all open noise and terrour they could The Romans hearing this Alarm every man took such weapon as came first to hand and they run suddenly to rescue that place from whence they understood the noyse amongst those the foremost man of all was Marcus Manlius a man that had been Consull who had a lusty body and as stout a heart His hap being to meet with two of the Gauls together as one of them was lifting up his Ax to knock him on the head he prevented him and struck off his hand with his sword and clapt his Target on the others face so fiercely that he threw him backward down the Rock and coming afterwards unto the Wall with others that ran thither with him he repulsed the rest of the Gauls that were gotten up who were not many in number Thus the Romans having escaped this danger the next morning they threw the Captain down the Rocks from the Castle who had charge of the Watch the night before and gave Manlius in recompence of the good service he had done a more honourable then profitable reward which was this every man of them gave him half a pound of the Country Wheat which they call Far and the fourth part of the measure of wine which the Grecians call Cotile and this might be about a Quart being the ordinarie allowance of every man by the day After this Repulse the Gauls began to be discouraged partly for that their victuals failed them and durst no more forrage abroad in the fields for fear of Camillus and partly also for that the Plague came amongst them being lodged amongst heaps of dead bodies lying in every place above ground without burial and amongst burnt houses destroyed where the ashes being blown very high by the wind and vehemency of heat did give a dry piercing ayr that did marvellously poyson their bodies when they came to draw in the breath of it But the greatest cause of all their mischief was the change of their wonted Diet who coming out of a fresh Country where there were excellent pleasant places to retire unto to avoid the discomodity of the parching heat of the Summer were now in a naughty plain Country for them to remain in in the later season of the year All these things together did heap diseases upon them besides the long continuance of the siege about the Capitol for it was then about the 7. moneth by reason whereof there grew a marvellous death in their Camp through the great numbers of them that died daily and lay unburied But notwithstanding all the death and trouble of the Gauls the poor besieged Romans were nothing holpen and the Famine still did grow upon them And because they could hear nothing of Camillus they were almost grown into despair and send unto him they could not the Gauls kept so strait a watch upon them in the City whereupon both parties finding themselves in hard estate first the Watch on each side began to cast out words of peace amongst themselves and afterwards by consent of the heads Sulpitius Tribune of the Souldiers came to parley with Brennus In which parley it was articuled that the Romans should pay a thousand pound weight of gold and that the Gauls should incontinently after the Receit of the same depart out of their City and all their Territories this decree being passed by oath from both the gold was brought And when it came to be weighed the Gauls at the first privily began to deal falsely with
quite environed with the Sea excepting the passage on the North side thereof Candida Casa vocatur locus in extremis Angliae juxta Scotiam finibus ubi beatus Confessor Niva requiescit Natione Brito qui primus ibidem Christi praedicationem Evangelizavit Nomen loco ex opere inditum quod Ecclesiam ibi ex lapide polito Britonibus miraculum fecerit The Count Palatine will have this King to have reigned fifteen years alone and speaks some thing favourably in his behalf Regina Martia saith he gubernaculum 7 annorum accepit cum filio unico adhuc puero qui Sisillius eo nomine secundus appellatur feliciter insequutus vestigia patris administrat quindecim annos postea solus mortuus Caerleili sepelitur To this account of fifteen years agreeth the English History saith Fabian but the Flower of Histories alloweth unto his Reign onely seven years howsoever Death demanded his due and summoned this King into another world Sisillius burled at Caerleon whose Body as Mr. Howes saith was buried at Caerleon and not at Caerlile but the nearnesse of the Names questionlesse breeds the mistake He left behind him his Son Kimarus to succeed him KIMARVS KIMARVS Son of Sisilius after the death of his Father was with all solemnity advanced to the Throne and Crown of Brittain in the year of the worlds Creation four thousand eight hundred fourscore and six The English Chronicle calleth him Kymor Fabian saith that there is no mention made of this King either concerning his deeds and course of life or concerning the length of his Reign yet he alledgeth an old Chronicle to aver that he was a wild young man and lived after his pleasure wherefore as he was at his disport of Hunting he was by his Ill-willers slain when he had ruled scarcely three years but the Count Palatine saith he was killed by wild Beasts Illius filius saith he speaking of Sisilius Chimarus in imperando successit moribus adolescens improbus suique in rebus omnibus agendis arbitrii ac voluntatis adeo ut post tres annos quibus rexit à feris bestiis dum venabatur occisus est Kimarus succeeded a young man of most dissolute life and behaviour who swayed all things according to the humour of his own vain and fantastick imagination and not according to the rule of reason and judgement insomuch that after the three years of his Reign he was devoured of wild Beasts It behoves Princes as well as others to have a care how they live For the holy Writ tells us Fire hail famine and death Eccles c. 39. all these things are created for mans punishment the Teeth of Beasts for the utter extermination of the wicked It is great reason that Princes should regulate their lives after the true square of vertue for a Prince cannot with reason expect that the severity of Laws or other Politick means shall represse in his Commonwealth any Vice which shall be Authorised by the Example of his own Practice For as the Poet saith Totus componitur Orbis Regis ad exemplum nec sic inflectere sensus Humanos edicta valent ut vita Regentis That is to say all the World is framed after the modell of the King and no Laws or Edicts can so move the mind of men as doth the life of the Governour which Plutarch confirmeth notably saying That even as a Square or Rule must be streight in it self before it can make other things streight so the Prince who is as it were the Rule of his Subjects ought first to rectifie himself before he go about by Laws or other means to rectifie his Commonwealth for he that is falling saith Plutarch is not fit to uphold others nor he that is ignorant to teach nor he that is incorrigible to correct nor he that is himself disordered to put others in order ELIANVS ELIANVS the Son of Kimarus whom some also call Danius as the Flower of Histories affirmeth but Gaufride saith he was Kimarus Brother was Crowned King of Brittain in the year of the worlds Creation four thousand eight hundred fourscore and nine This Prince by the English Book is called Howan one Chronicle will have Kimarus and Elianus to be one and the same person though others think otherwise and that he reigned two years little or nothing being left to posterity of any memorable Acts of his either good or bad only the Count Palatine tells us Frater eum sequitur Elianus natura stupidior legum spretor quocirca rem administrabat imprudenter bellis seditionibus undecunque vexatus neque pacem habere potuit vel publice vel privatim illis decem annis quibus imperabat Elianus his Brother succeeded him of a most stupid nature and a contemner of all Laws which was the cause that he governed with great indiscretion his Kingdome and Commonwealth being continually vexed and troubled with insurrections and seditions insomuch that during the ten years of his Reign he could never enjoy either privately or otherwise one hour of peace this was one amongst the Brittish Princes for whose sake as Gildas the wise writeth the whole Nation suffered MORINDVS MORINDVS the Bastard-son of Elianus as Gaufride affirmeth with others took upon him the Crown and Government of this Island of Great Brittain in the year of the worlds Creation four thousand eight hundred and ninety Elianus begat this Prince upon Tanguestula his Concubine who proved as Bastards commonly doe being gotten in the heat of Courage a most resolute and couragious Chieftain but so over-swayed by his own passions especially that of anger that in his fury no mans life was secure To the matchlesse strength of his body Nature added all those features which might make him the most handsome and accomplisht Gentleman in all his Kingdome these his admirable endowments he beautified with a most Princely liberality being very open-handed when the least merit required During the Reign of Morindus there arrived out of Mauritania which Country according to Strabo is seated between Hungaria and Fohemia a war-like and most cruel people which with Fire and Sword consumed all before them Morindus having tidings brought to him of those insolences and misdemeanours with all speed Levied an Army and with speedy Marches encounters his Enemy and after a most bloody Conflict compels the greatest part of the unwelcome Intruders back to their Ships the rest he sacrificeth to his own anger causing some to be dismembred others cast into the fire some chopt in pieces not a few strangled death acted several parts in this most horrid execution no manner of torment imaginable to Morindus was left uninflicted so great was the tyranny of his blood-thirsting revenge After this great overthrow and most cruel Massacre this Brittish King progressing a long the Sea coasts for his Recreation chanced to discry a most hideous Monster coming out of the Irish Ocean Morindus is overjoyed at this presented occasion to try the edge of his
disprove the Name and forged Antiquity of Astrologers saith he can shew no Students thereof before the time of Nebuchodonosor Benedictus Pirerius and Benedictus Pirerius in a Book which he writes de divinatione Astrologiae Tanta est Astrologorum qui vulgo Judiciarii appellantur vel impudentia vel Amentia ut etiam sibi divinam Scripturam suffragari suaeque Astronomatiae fidem Authoritatem firmare jactent etenim verba illa quae dixit Deus creans luminaria Et sint in signa tempora c. ad suam referunt divinationem Astrologicam per quam ipsi profitentur ex observatione siderum futura rerum eventa posse praedici quocirca B. Basilius Ambrosius aliique permulti patres in explanatione eorum verborum bene longam acuratam in refellendi istiusmodi Astrologorum praedictionibus orationem posuerunt quorum nos Patrum exemplis provocati gravissimis Dei sententiis contra Astrologos multifariam in divina Scriptura proditis permoti quin etam justissimo adversus Astrologos odio propter fraudulenta perniciosa eorum figmenta librum hunc ad confutandas eorum praedictiones à nobis scriptum gratum multis utilem fore existimamus scripsit adversus Astrologos quidem copiose Joannes Picus Mirandula sed multos ab ejus lectione deterret prolixitas operis Nos licet in praediviti uberi versemur argumento eo tamen breves erimus quod non omnia quae disputari possent sed aptiora duntaxat causae firmior aque tractabimus quinque autem erunt hujus libri disputationis adversos Astrologos capita primo enim docebimus sacrae Ecclesiasticae doctrinae aivinationem Astrologicam esse contrariam tum ostendemus Astrologos esse rerum caelestium imperitos Deinde divinatricem istam artem rectae rationi ac Philosophiae adversari demonstrabimus ad haec probabimus astra non solum non esse causas efficientes rerum futurarum verum nec esse certa figna quae res futuras praeuotent ac praemonstrent ad extremum cur nonnulla Astrologorum praedicta sint vera causas exponemus This Author reduceth his book into five principall heads against Astrologers First he sheweth Astrology to be contrary to sacred and Ecclesiastical doctrine Secondly Astrologers themselves to be ignorant of Celestial things and that that divining Art is opposite both to sound Reason and Philosophy and that the Stars are not the efficient causes of future things no not so much as certain Signs to point out or shew us things to ensue and lastly he makes appear the Causes why some Astrological predictions may prove true I wish every man of learning would read Pirerius to laugh at the folly of our Age wherein every paltery Almanack-maker will make him to open the Closets and Cabinets of Princes Counsels and condemn Personages of high and eminent Quality to violent and untimely deaths at their pleasure where the best of them even Ly-Ly himself is observed to tell Lyes in the plural Number and Verites scare in the singular DEDANTIVS DEDANTIVS or as other call Dedacus was after his Predecessor King of Great Brittain the space of five years also of this Prince no further mention is made atque per tot alios scil quinque annos Dedacus inde tenuit Dedacus Com. Pal. DETONVS DETONVS Reigned two years as affirmeth Mr. Howes Com. Pa. speaketh nothing of this Prince but after Dedacus saith Enimvero Clotenus nisi duos annos regnabat and Fabian also next to Dedacus puts Clotenus and then Gurgenites and tells us that Lanquet leaveth these out Com. Pal. puts one Gurguineus it may be the same which Fabian calls Gurginetes to rule three years MERIANVS MERIANVS by consent of all Writers was King two years BLADVNVS BLEDVVS as Fabian saith or Bladunus as others ruled two years CAPENVS CAPENVS or Cap was King three years OVINVS OVIMVS Oenus or Owyn ruled other three years SISILIVS SISILIVS or Silius governed the Bittains two years BLEDGABREDVS BLEDGABREDVS or Bledgabridus wore the Brittish purpure ten years as Mr. Howes affirmeth Fabian saith twenty he loved and studied Musick in so much that Com. Pal. tells us tanta canendo excellentia superavit omnes homines ut quidem in arte Musica deus esse videretur he so far excelled all mortal men in the art of singing that he seemed to be the god of Musick this he confirmes in his notes figure the 18. Deinde Galfridus lib. 1. c. 22. Belgridus omnes cantores quos aetas praecedens habuit plurimum excellebat tum in modulis tum in omnibus musicis instrumentis ita ut deus faculatorum esse videretur Belgridus so far excelled all the singers of the precedent age as well in Madrigall and voice as all other Musical instruments that he was called the god of mirth or merry companions nam ita Cajus Belgabridem hominem regem inquit tantum fuisse musicum constaet ut propter excellentem musices cognitionem musicorum deus appellaretur Belgabride a Princely man was so rare and skilful in the Art of Musick that for his excellency therein he was called the god of Musitians I dare not say Minstrils least some should think the King a Fidler many great Princes Kings and Emperours have singularly affected the heavenly melody of Musick and much may be spoken in praise thereof which I forbear yet I am of an opinion that no man can be of a good nature who loves it not ARCHIMALVS ARCHIMALVS Archimelus or Archemall Reigned two years Isti frater Archimalus in regno suffectus est qui ipse post annos duos accepit Eldolum successorem ELDOLVS ELDOLVS Elden or Eldell was King of the Brittaines four years in whose time of Government many prodigious signs were seen as Globes of fire bursting out of the air with great noyse ignei Globi de nubibus erumpentes cum aeris maxime strepitu RODIANVS RODIANVS or Redian was King two years REDARGIVS REDARGIVS Reigned three years Com. Pal. calls him Roderecius saying Roderecius hunc sequitur pro tribus annis but Fabian is so far from speaking of this King that he quite leaves him out making no mention of his name SAMVLIVS SAMVLIVS was King two years Samulius pro duobus Com. Pal. PENISILLVS PENISILLVS Reigned three years rursum pro tribus Penisellus Com. Pal. Fabian saith that Samul Penisel was but one individuum and that he Reigned five years PYRRVS PYRRVS whom Fabian calls Pyr Phyrrus Reigned two years CAPORVS CAPORVS whom Fabian calls Capoir Reigned two years DINELLVS DINELLVS the Son of Caporus whom Fabian calls Glyguell Dinell Vilus fol. 205. ruled the Brittain◠four years Com. Pal. Dinellus autem Caporii filius gerendarum rerum scientissimus princeps pro summa suavitate morum erga singulos benignitate laudatur Quanquam homines ex infima plebe nascerentur tamensi erant bene periti earum rerum quae in deliberatione ponebantur ipsorum sententias libenter audiebat
Empress Martia a Brittain And by the Roman writers themselves he was at this time when he was slain at Yorke 65 years old And although he left thirty two Legions as Dio writeth to defend that his temporal Empire which had so persecuted the Church of Christ yet that temporal Empire with all those props began to stagger Tertul. adver Judaeos c. 7. and notwithstanding so great persecution in the Kingdom of Christ as Tertullian then living witnesseth was adored and ruled in all places and particularly here in Brittain And it is generally agreed upon by our both Brittish and Saxon Historians and Antiquaries that after his discomfiture by Severus he went over into Scythia interpreted to be that Country which we now call Denmark Geff. Mon. sup c. 3. Fab. Hist Polycr Harris discrip of Brit. c. 22. Hollensh Hist of Eng. l. 4. c. 23. Bede Eccl. Hist l. 1. Capg in St. Ninian Hect. Boet. Scoto Hist l. 7. Bal. l. de scrip cent 1. in Ninia and brought with him a great army of the people of that Nation which our Antiquities call Picts before he fought with Severus and they both were there slain or died at York These were none of the Christian Picts or Scots which lived in our Islands who had joyned with Fulgenius before and many of them were slain as the same Authors testify but they were Pagan Picts of whom many remained here after the death of these two Generalls and had a place given them to inhabit in the Country of Albania Thus write our Brittish Historians and our modern Antiquaries agree when they say that Carausius gave unto the Scots Picts and Scythians the Country of Cathnesse in Scotland which they afterward inhabited so these were those Pagan Picts and people which St. Ninian and others sent from Rome did long after convert to the faith of Christ as St. Bede and others testify for the Islanders which were Picts and Scots were converted in Pope Victor his time which is another argument against the Scottish writers which would have themselves seated in the Country now called Scotland so long a duration of years as they claim Bassianus being advertised of his fathers death practised with the Souldiers by bribes and fair promises that he might be declared sole Emperour whereto when he could not perswade them for the reverence they bare to his father Severus he made a league with the Northern Brittains that then assailed the Borders and returned to York to meet with Julia the Empresse his mother in law and Geta his brother There he caused the Physitians to be put to death for not ridding his father sooner out of the way as he had commanded them then he appointed secretly to the slaughter all those that for their vertue and wisdom had been esteemed and advanced by his father and all such as having been Tutors to him and his brother and advised them to mutual concord This done he entred into consultation about his fathers funerals which were solemnized by the Army with all due rights according to the ancient custome in time of war The ashes of the dead body being put into a golden Urne were afterwards by Julia the Empresse accompanied with the two Caesars carried to Rome where Severus after the usuall ceremony was consecrated a God Severus left as is related two sons Bassianus and Geta and if Fulgenius who is by divers called King though indeed he was only Dux populi had any right by descent to the Crown of Brittain seeing we read of no child or brother he left behind him that the title which he claimed must needs descend to the eldest son of Severus which was Bassianus son also to the sister of Fulgenius as some before have written now having by the death of his Father Severus and Uncle Fulgenius both their titles with the allowance of the Empress Martia his mother lawfully invested in him Therefore to decide and end all controversies in this businesse the Brittains with common assent did chuse and accept Bassianus both for their King being the next and undoubted heir whether we shall stand either upon his father or Uncles title as also for Emperor Mr. Bro. 370. 1 2. as the Eldest son and heir of Severus undoubted Emperor and for his leaving sons behind as the chiefest cause made a God among the Romans So writeth Herodian with others Herodian l. 4. Stow. Hist Roman in Severo Mos est Romanis consecrare Imperatores qui superstitibus filiis vel successoribus moriuntur And an English Antiquary though not citing authority delivereth the same in these words The Romans accustomed to consecrate with immortality such Emperors as at their death leave either Children or successors in the Empire behind them Harrison disc of Brit. c. 22. French manusc antiq c. 109. Galf. Mon. l. 5 c. 2. Pont. Virun l. 5. c. 2. Mat. West an 206. Harding Chro in Sever. Bass Hollensh Hist of Eng. l. 4. c. 22. Harris disc Brit. c. 22. Tertul. ad scapu c. 4. Spartian in Caracalla and those which are endued with that honour they Canonize among the Gods Therefore to use the speech of an other late Author Severus by birth a Roman but in blood a Brittain and the lineal heir of the body of Androgeas son of Lud and Nephew to Cassibelan was Emperor and King of Brittain Geta born of a Roman woman Julia was chosen Emperor by divers Romans but soon after slain by his halfe brother Bassianus the Brittain This Bassianus reigned alone both Emperour King of Brittain till his death besides his hereditary title to this Kingdom it seemeth that the Christian Brittains here were not a little moved to chuse and receive him for their King for the hope they had he would either become a Christan or at least a friend and no enemy to that profession of which in his youth and tender years he had given no vulgar argument for besides many other hopeful graces and gifts he was then endued with he was brought up by a Christian Nurse and with Christian Children when he did see any Christian Martyrs brought to wild beasts to be killed and devoured he would weep and turne his face away as Spartianus is an ample witnesse And being but seven years old hearing that one of his Christian Play-fellowes was grievously beaten for that his Religion as the common interpretation is he could not long after endure the Procures of his beating And in this hope of the Brittains now Christians that Bassianus would rather be a friend then persecutor of such they were not deceived For although contrary to his first education when he was with Christians being separated from them he fell to so many kinds of impieties as writers do report and put innumerable of the Pagan Roman Nobles to death and many of them which had been greatest enemies to Christians yet he died innocent from Christian blood and persecution Mr. Br. 371. and by his severe
of the persecution during ten years and addeth that then the church of St. Alban was built to his honour within ten years of his martyrdom in the quiet of Christian times here which by that is said before must needs be in the time of Constantius Likewise we find in the antiquitie of the old Church of Winchester that being destroyed with the rest in this late persecution it was perfectly re-edified in the year of Christ 309. and so either was in building or warranted to be built in the dayes of Constantius then so or lately before by all accounts living and reigning here that it could not be done without his warrant or allowance The like we say of the Churches of St. Julius and St. Aaron and other Martyrs of that time and all both Cathedral churches and others destroyed here by Maximian the most horrible fact-man as Henry of Huntington calls him after whose leaving the Empire Christians were quiet here as he saith and restored to their former liberties and as Regino writteth not only in Brittain but generally where he ruled both Bishops were restored to their private Sees and many other things granted for the profit of Christian Religion and particularly saith that the Monastery of Trevers was begun in his time then much more in Brittain where he was both absolute Emperour and King to command and no man daring to resist him to this our late Antiquaries have given sufficient allowance when they grant that Constantius abolished the superstition of the Gentiles in this Dominions especially in Brittain where he now lived King and Emperour as also in abolishing the Pagan rights and observances for dislike of them and love to Christian Religion must needs for his short time be an extraordinary advancer thereof Stow Howes in Constant But when he had happily begun this holy work in repairing the ruines of the Church of Christ in this Kingdom and before he could bring it to due and his desired perfection he fell sick at the City of York where soon after he deceased Yet in this short time of his sicknesse his greatest care was to leave and commit this his charge both concerning his Empire and this Kingdom to his Eldest son Constantine Son of St. Helen who as he hoped for many reasons would be most ready and willing to maintain and defend true Religion and with Justice govern his Subjects And to this happy choice as both Zonoras and Pompeius Laetus do plainly testify Zonoras Annal Tom. 2. in Constant Pomp. Laetus Rom. Hist Camp in Const max. Eseb l. 1. de vita Const mag c. 18. Grin amart in cum locum and Eusebius and others sufficiently insinuate he was admonished and instructed by Gods direction and an Angell which is confimed by the effect and event it self not only of the general establishing of Christian religion in the world by Constantine in the time of his Empire but his extraordinary and miraculous preservation before he came to it and at this very time of his fathers sicknesse strangely escaping the Tyrants hands in Italy and coming safely unto his sick Father Constantius at York in our Brittain by the great providence of God as Eusebius noteth who had often preserved him to bring him thither so long and dangerous a journey at that very time to succeed his Father And this Author immediately addeth For presently when Constantine had escaped the stratagems of the deceits he came with all speed to his Father Euseb in vita Const l. 1. c. 14. and after a long space of time which he had been absent from him presented him to his sight at that moment Constantius was ready to die but when contrary to all hope he saw his sonne leaping out of bed he embraced him saying that he had now cast that out of his mind Cap. 15. which only troubled him at the point of death which was the absence of his Son and therefore did earnestly pray and give thanks for it to God affirming that now he rather desired to die then live and setting himself in the midst of his Children and in his place lying upon his Kingly bed giving over the inheritance of his Kingdom to his Eldest Son he departed this Life Thus hath Eusebius then living in that time Our Moderne Writers citing other ancient Authors not differing from Eusebius Hollenshed Hist of England l. 4 c. 28. 27. cit Euseb Sext Aurel. vict Nicep Tripart Hist thus Translate and Epitomate this History from them Whilest Constantine remained at Rome in manner as he had been a pledge with Gallerius in his Fathers time fled from hence and with all post hast returned to his Father in Brittain killing and hewing by the way all such horses as were appointed to stand at Inns ready for such as would ride in Post least being pursued he should have been overtaken and brought back again by such as might be sent on purpose after him Constantius whilest he lay on his death bed somewhat before he departed this life hearing that his son Constantine was come and escaped from the Emperors Dioclesian and Maximian with whom he remained as a pledge he received him with all joy and raising himself up in his bed in presence of his other sons and Councellours with a great number of other people and strangers that were come to visit him He set the Crown upon his sons head and adorned him with other Imperi-Robes and garments executing as it were himself the Office of an Herald and with all spake these words unto his said son and to his Councellours there about him Now is my death come unto me more welcome and my departure hence more pleasant I have here a large Epitaph and Monument of buriall to wit mine own son and one whom in earth I leave to be Emperour in my place which by Gods good help shall wipe away the tears of the Christians and revenge the cruelty exexercised by Tyrants This I reckon to chance unto me instead of most felecity Thus careful was this holy Emperour even at his death to advance the honour of Christ This he did prophesying how his son after him should advance Christian Religion now by his father declared Emperour but as Esebius writeth long before designed to that dignity by God the King of all This renowned Emperour Constantius died by divers in the year 306. by others 307 and by some 308. and by all at such time as it is already proved it must needs be he which among the Roman Emperours first gave order and warrant for the restoring and re-establishing Christian Religion here in Brittain after the desolation thereof by Dioclesian and Maximian and died happily and most blessedly And was so renowned that even by the Pagans he was accounted a God and had after his death all honour given unto him which belonged to an Emperour he was most honourably and Christian like buryed in the City of York Constantine his son the new Emperour present
now much worse then before the Saxons arrival that strangers under the colour of friendship robbed them of their goods and bereaved them of their lands that the secret practises of such as they trusted were no lesse to be feared then open Hostility and that if speedy order were not taken to expell them they would in short time root out the ancient Brittains and make themselves Lords of the whole Island But Vorteger whose affection to his wife and her Kindred weighed down all other respects whatsoever neglected their complaints till by his own experience he was taught what dangerous inconveniences proceed from wilful rashnesse and mis-government For the Brittains disdaining to be any longer commanded by such a Prince Vortiger despised by his own Subjects as had neither power to command his own affections nor care to provide for the safety of his Subjects declared him uncapable and by a general consent deprived him of all Regall Authority Vortimer Vortimer the Son of Vortiger a Man in disposition of mind much like his Father was declared King and renewed the war with the Saxons whom he encountered in a pitcht field near Alisford in Kent In that conflict Catigern his Brother and Horsa the Brother of Hengist fighting hand to hand were both slain whereby though the Saxons perished in greater number then the Brittains yet by the loss of the Generals on both sides the fortune of the Battail seemed in a manner to be equal On the part of the Brittains there died no man of name save only Catigern in remembrance of whose death there was afterwards a Sepulchre of stone erected where the battail was fought the like monument was also built by the Saxons for Horsa their Captain though time hath now defaced it howbeit the memory of the place it self if credit may be given to the inhabitants there iscontinued amongst them even to this day by a small village in East Kent yet bearing his name After this the Brittains made divers attempts upon their Enemies sometimes winning sometimes loosing and then recovering again that which they had lost when Vortimer the King ended his dayes either by a natural death or by the treachery of Rowen his Stepmother He was a Prince of great courage adorned with many morall vertues and as some writers have reported a favourer and professor of Christian religion Vortiger restored Now was Vortiger either by an hope that adversity had wrought upon him a reformation of mind Brittish Hist part second fol. 191. or else for fear least any civil discord should arise by the election of an other revoked with common consent of the Brittains and restored to his former Estate During his Sons reign as Histories report he lived a private life near Radnor in Wales where he bestowed much cost in building a Castle for defence as he vainly imagined against any suddain assault In the mean time the strength of the Saxons encreased by new supplies which came daily out of Germany and the Brittains doubted their own Estates so much the more by reason that the Picts and Scottish Men their ancient Enemies were dispersed in most parts of the Isle The Saxons also for their own advantage entering often times into secret conferences and mutual leagues with them But Hengist supposing that he could not with safety enjoy the possession of that Territory which Vortiger had assigned unto him so long as the chief and most valiant of the Brittish Nation remained alive The treachery of the Saxons devised by a cunning practice under pretence of hospitality and friendship to draw them together into one place and on the suddain to supprise them To this end he prepared a solemne banquet at which the King with divers noble personages as bidden guests were present suspecting nothing less then what was intended against them For the Brittains being warm with good cheer and wine whereof they had drunk immeasurably were scoft at by the Saxons Drunkenness the ruine of the Brittains the one provoking the other so far with reproachfull terms that in the end they fell from words to blowes in such furious manner as the Brittains being about 300 in number all un armed and surcharged with wine were slain in the place and Vortiger their King taken prisoner who soon after delivering for his ransome the whole Country of Kent with other Provinces thereto belonging and adjoyning into the Saxons hands fled to his Castle in Wales where supposing himself free from danger he continued his vitious and prophane manner of living till in the end both himself and his Castle as some writers affirm was by lighting from Heaven consumed to ashes Thus Vortiger the last King of the Brittish blood a Prince in manners dissolute and weak in actions was by strangers dispossessed of his Kingdom living to see the ruine of his Country whereof himself was the principal cause and dying in the end a strange and unnatural death which is commonly the issue of a disordered and infamous life The report goeth that this fatal meeting was held upon Salisbury-plains where not many years after Aurelius Ambrosius caused that strange building of stone now call'd Stone-hedge to be erected as a perpetual monument of so many worthy Brittains slain and buried there concerning which sundry conjectures have been made as being either framed according to mens particular conceits or grounded upon common reports received by tradition But by what means so ever they came thither they are accounted at this day one of the miracles of England in regard both of the stones themselves which are of a huge bigness as also of their position and order whereby they seem in a manner to be supported with their own weight in hanging one by an other considering withall that there are no stones for building to be found within many miles of that place Now were the Brittains driven from place to place some flying to the mountains others hiding themselves in Caves under ground where they either perished for want of food or coming abroad to seek for relief were cruelly murdered their Enemies in the mean time ranging up and down without resistance rafing their houses The wofull condition of the Brittains polluting the Altars in their Temples with the blood of their Priests burning the Temples themselves and committing all manner of sacriledge and outrage without regard of place or person For the Saxons as by little and little they planted themselves in the most wealthy and fruitfull parts of the Isle so they endeavoured to supplant the true Christian religion whereof they professed themselves open Enemies as men meerly addicted to heathenish superstition in worshipping divers Gods and Goddesses among whom the Images of Thor Woden Frea and Eoster were placed in their Temples as their chief Patrons they painted Thor with a Scepter in his hand after the same manner that the Poets used to describe the Image of Jupiter and him they reverenced as the commander and disposer of thunder and lightning
wonderful largeness so that the space of his forehead between his two eyes was a span broad there appeared in his head the signs and prints of ten wounds or more all the which were grown into one wemm except onely that whereof it should seem he dyed which being greater then the residue appeared very plain Also in opening the Tomb of his wife Queen Guenhera that was buryed by him this Queen had taken upon her a Monastical habit Mr. Broug fol. 603. either after the death of her Husband or else to do pennance for some crime committed for some there are who affirm that she was too familiar with Mordred her husbands both kinsman and capital enemy the Monastery unto which she went to receive the habit of Religion was one of the two which were in Gaerleon dedicated to St. Julius our Martyr and is yet called St. Julians and is at present the Mansion House of the Right Honourable Edward Lord Herbert of Cherbery When the tombe of this Queen was opened they found the tresses of her hair whole and perfect and finely platted of colour like to the burnisht gold the which being touched immediately fell to dust The Abbot which then was governour of that house was called Stephan or Henry de Bloys otherwise de Sullie Nephew to King Henry the second by whose commandment he had searched for the grave of Arthur translated the bones as well of him as of his Queen into the great Church and there buryed them in a fair marble Tombe laying the bones of the King at the head of the Tombe and the body of the Queen at his feet towards the west part In Commendation of this Warlick Prince certain verses are made in Latine but because they are turned into English I set not down the Latine but give them unto my Reader as they are in Holinshed Who vanquisht Saxon troops with battails bloody broyles And purchast to himself a name with warlick wealthy spoyles Who hath with shivering shining sword the Picts so oft dismaid And eke unweildy servile yoak on neck of Scots hath laid Who Frenchmen Pufft with pride and who the Germains fierce in fight Discomfitted and daunted Danes with main and martial might Who of that murdering Mordred did the vital breath expell The Monster grisley loathsome huge that diresome Tyrant fell Here livelesse Arthur lies entomb'd within this stately hearse Of Chievaldry the bright renown and vertues nursling fierce Whose glory great now over all the world doth compass fly And of the airy thunder shales the lofty buildings high Therefore you Noble Progeny of Brittains line and race Arise unto the Emperour great of thrice renowned grace And cast upon his sacred Tombe the roseal garland gay That fragrant smell may witness well your duties you display The occasion that moved King Henry the second to cause his Nephew the Abbot to search for the grave of King Arthur was for that he understood by a Welsh * These Bards were as Heralds observing the true genealogies of the Country Bard that could sing many histories in the Welsh language of the Ancient Brittains that in the foresaid Church-yard of Glastenbury betwixt two pillers the body of Arthur was to be found buried six foot deep under the ground Giraldus Cambrensis affirmeth that the tree in which Arthurs body was found inclosed was an Oak but others suppose that it was an Alder tree because that in the same place a great number of those kind of trees do grow and also for that it is known that an Alder lying under the ground where moysture is will long continue without rotting But the finding thus of the body of Arthur thus buried such as believe that he was not dâ—â—d but conveyed away by Fairies deluded it may be by this fantastick verse Hic jacet Arthurus ReX quondam Rexque futurus into â—ome pleasant place where he should remain till a time and then to return again and reign in as great Authority as he did before might well perceive themselves deceived in crediting so vain a fable on the other side as quite contrary some seem to doubt whether any such man was ever In rerum Natura William of Malmsbury a writer of good credit and authority among the learned hath these words in his first book entituled De Regibus anglorum saying But he being dead meaning Vortimer the face of the Brittains waxed feeble their decayed hope went backward apace and even then suddenly had they gone to destruction if Ambrosius which alone of the Romans remained yet alive and was King after Vortigerne had not kept under and stayed the lofty barbarous people that is to say the Saxons by the notable aid and assistance of the valiant Arthur This is the same Arthur of whom the trifeling tales of the Brittains even to this day do fantastically descant and report wonders but worthy doubtless was he of whom feigned fables should not have so dreamed but rather that true Histories might have set forth his worthy prayses as he that did for a long time sustain and hold up his Country that was ready to go to utter ruine and decay encouraging the bold hearts of the Brittains in the war and finally in the siege of Badon hill he set upon 900 of the Enemies and with incredible slaughter did put them all to flight On the contrary part the English Saxons although they were tossed with several chances of Fortune yet still they recruited their forces with new supplies of their Country men that came out of Germany and so with bolder courage assailed their Enemies and by little and little causing them to give place spread themselves over the whole Island for although there were many battails in the which sometimes the Saxons sometimes the Brittains got the better yet the greater number of the Saxons that were slain the greater number still came over to the succour of their Country-men being called in and sent for over out of every quartâ—â— of their Territory Here is also to be noted that where the Brittish History declareth that Gawen or Gallowyn being slain in the battail fought betwixt Arthur and Mrodred in Kent was buried at Dover so that his bones remained there to be shewed long after This Gawain as saith a French Author did bear for his armes De Purpre a vu aigle d' Or a Deux testes membres d' Or Purpure an Eagle displayed with two heads Or yet by that which Will. Malm. in the third book of his volume entituled De Regibus Anglorum the contrary may seem true The armes of Gawain his words are these When in the Province of Wales which is called Ross the Sepulchre of Walwain was found who was Nephew to Arthur by his Sister not going out of kind from so worthy an Uncle he reigned in that part of Brittain which unto this day called Walwithia a Knight for his high prowess most highly renowned but expulsed out of his Kingdom by the Brother and Nephew of Hengist
satisfaction for his former lewd living but casting that aside he seemed with his coule or hood and habit to cast away also all shame and feeling of piety and religion and humanity it self much more Gildas setteth down which drew upon the Brittish Nation the just vengeance which almighty God poured down upon them Cadwane Cadwane Duke of Northwales was made Soveraign of the Brittains Howe 's fol. 56. who gave strong battail to Ethelfred King of Northumberland and forced him to entreat for peace After which concord being made they continued all their life time loving friends he reigned twenty two years The Kingdom of the East Saxons began under Ercheminus about the year of Christ 614. The Kingdome of Mercia or middle England began under Penda 626. Hollenshed also saith that he reigned 22 years though saith he some allow but 13 and was slain by the Northumbers Cadwallin Cadwallin the son of Cadwane ruled over the Brittains How fol. 56. b. St. Martins in London by the Brittains he warred strongly upon the Saxons and made Penda King of Mercia tributary to him He reigned 48 years and was buryed in London in the Church of St. Martine neer unto Ludgate which Church was then new-founded and builded by the Brittains in anno 677. An other Authour maketh a longer relation of this Kings reign Holl. fol. 166. Edwin was not son to Ethelfred but to Alla or Ella and tells us that Cadwallo for so he calls him and Edwin the son of Ethelfred were brought up in France being sent thether unto Solomon King of Brittain by Cadwane when they were very young for this he cites Gaufred and that after their return into this land when they were made Kings Cadwall of the Brittains and Edwin of the Northumbers there continued for the space of two years great friendship betwixt them till at lenghth Edwin required of Cadwall that he might wear a Crown and celebrate appointed solemnities within his dominion of Northumberland as well as Cadwall did in his Country Cadwall taking advice in this matter at length by the perswasion of his Nephew Brian he denyed to grant unto Edwin his request wherewith Edwin took such displeasure that he sent word unto Cadwall that he would be crowned without his license since he would not willingly give it whereunto Cadwall answered that if he did so he would cut off his head under his Diadem if he presumed to wear any within the confines of Britany Hereupon discord arising betwixt these two princes they began to make fierce and cruel war each of them against the other and at length joyning in battail with their main armies Cadwall lost the field with many thousands of his men and being chased fled into Scotland and from thence got over into Ireland and finally passed over the seas into Brittain the lesse called Armorica where of his cofin King Solomon he was courteously received and at length obtained of him ten thousand men to go with him back into his Country to assist him in recovering his lands and dominions the which in the mean time were cruelly spoyled wasted and plundered by K. Edwin The same time Brian the Nephew of Cadwall whom he had sent into Brittanie a little before to kill a certain Wisard or Southsayer whom K. Edwin had gotten out of Spain named Pelitus who by disclosing the purpose of Cadwall unto Edwin greatly impeached Cadwals designes he fortified the City of Exceter meaning to defend it till the coming of Cadwall whereupon Penda King of Mercia besieged that City with a mighty army purposing to take it and Brian within it Cadwall advertised hereof immediately after his arrival hasted towards Exceter and dividing his people into four parts set upon his enemies and took Penda and overthrew his whole army Penda having no other shifs to escape submitted himself wholly unto Cadwall promising to become his liegeman and to fight against the Saxons in his quarrel And this Penda being subdued Cadwall called his Nobles together which had been dispersed abroad a long time and with all speed went against Edwin King of Northumberland and slew him in battail at Hatfield with his son Osfride and Godbold King of the Isles of Ockney who was come thither to his aid By this it should appear that Fabian hath gathered amiss in the account of the reigns of the Brittish Kings for it appeareth by Beda and others that Edwin was slain in the year of our Lord 634. And whereas Fabian attributeth that act and divers others unto Cadwan father of Cadwall yet both Galmon and Beda with the most part of all other writers say that it was done by Cadwall Hollenshed ut sup Harding assigneth but 13 years to the reign of Cadwall and declareth that he died in the year of our Lord 606. in the which year as he saith Cadwall began his reign which opinion seemeth best to agree with that which is set down by others But to return to Cadwall and his acts as we find them recorded by the Brittish writers After he had got this victory against the Northumbers he cruelly pursued the Saxons as though he meant so far as in him lay to destroy the whole race of them out of the land of Brittain and sending Penda against King Oswald who succeeded Edwin though at the first Penda received the overthrow at Havenfield yet afterwards Cadwall himself highly displeased with that chance King Oswald slain pursued Oswald and fought with him at a place called Bourne where Penda slew the said Oswald After that Oswald was slain his brother Osunus succeeded him in the government of the Northumbers and sought the favour of Cadwall now ruling as King over all Brittanie and at length by great gifts of gold and silver and upon his humble submission he obtained peace till at length upon disgust Penda obtained leave of Cadwall to make wars against the said Osunus in with Penda himself was slain Then Cadwal granted after the space of two years Vlfridus the son of Penda should succeed in the Kingdom of Mertia Cadwall absolute Prince of all Brittain and thus Cadwall ruled things after his own will and pleasure and finally when he had reigned as before is said as years he departed this life the 22d. of November His body being embalmed and dressed with sweet confections was put in a brazen Image by mervalous art melted and cast the which being set on a brazen horse of excellent beauty the Brittains erected aloft upon the West gate of London called Ludgate in sign of his victorious conquests and for a terror to the Saxons Cadwallader Cadwallader the last King of the Brittains descending from the Noble race of the Trojans by extreme plagues of death and famine was driven to forsake this his native Country and Kingdom and to sojourne with a great number of his Nobles and Subjects with his Cosin Alan King of Little Brittaine which is called in the Brittish tongue Lhydaw Of the first inhabiting of
to the Government and sought the rule of the Land as Conan the son of Howel and Aedan the son of Blegored who tried the matter in open field where Conan was slain in the year 1003. I do not know saith my Author neither could I ever finde what colour or pretence of Title this Aedan ap Blegored had to the principality of Northwales nor yet of whom he de cended or who descended from him whereas all the other Princes are notoriosly known of what families they did descend and who from them neither yet do I read of any Blegored whose son he was except it be that Doctor of Law of whom mention is made in the Laws of Howel Dha whose estate was too mean to challenge a principality he is reported to have governed about twelve years Of his Acts by him atchieved there is very little written saving of those two battails the one wherein he overcame Conan ap Howel and the other wherein he was overcome himself and slain with his four sons by Lhewellin ap Sitsylht In the year 1015. Lhewelin the Son of Sitsylht raised a great power against Aedan who by force had taken upon him the rule of Northwales and slew him with his four sons in battel and having no respect to Jago or James the son of Edwal the right heir took upon him the name and authority of King of Wales This Lhewellin was descended from the Kings of Wales by his mothers side whose name was Trawst daughter to Elise second son to Anarawd which was eldest son to Roderik the great who also had to wife Angharac the only daughter of Meredith Prince of Southwales and so by these means he claimed and enjoyed the right of either country as hereafter shall be shewed Lhewellin the son of Sitsylht and Angharat the Daughter of Meredith After that Lhewellin son of Sitsylht had taken into his hands the government of Wales all things did prosper in the Land for the earth brought forth double to the time before passed the people prospered in all their affairs and multiplyed wonderfully the cattel encreased in great number so that there was neither begger nor poor man from the South to the North sea but every man had plenty every house a dweller and every Town inhabitants In the year 1019. Meyric the son of Arthpoel did raise a great army against Lhewelin King or Prince of VVales which met with him in the field and manfully slew him and discomfited his people In the year 1020. a certain Son of low birth came to Southwales and named himself Run the son of Meredith their late King whom the Nobility which loved not Lhewelin exalted to the regal Throne and took him for their King which thing when Lhewelin heard he gathered his power in Northwales and came towards the supposed Run who had gotten all the strength of Southwales together at Abergwili where with great pride he abode the coming of Lhewelin but when both the armies met and were ready to joyn Run full of brags and cracks encouraged his people to fight promising them the Victory yet he himself following the Proverb which biddeth a man to set on his dog and not to run after him set on his people to fight it to the uttermost and withdrew himself privately out of the way whereas upon the contrary part Lhewelin like a bold and couragious Prince came before his people calling for the vile Scot Run that durst so bely a Princes Blood and so both the Armyes joyned together with much malice and hatred for the one party was so couragious to defend the quarrel of so worthy a Prince of their own blood as the other was obstinate in the cause of a stranger in the end after great slaughter upon either part the Northwales men remembring their old Victories and encouraged by the prowess of their Prince put their enemies to flight and pursued Run so narrowly that all his Scottish shifts could not save his life and returned home with great spoil and prey Then Lhewelin ruled all the land quietly till the year following he was slain by Howel and Meredith the Sons of Edwin leaving behinde him a son named Griffith ap Lhewelin After the death of Lhewelin Jago or James the son of Edwal took upon him the rule of Northwales as right heir thereof and Rytherick the son of Jestin governed Southwales by strong hand year 1031 About the year 1031. the Irish Scots entred Southwales by the means of Howel and Meredith the sons of Edwin ap Eneon ap Owen ap Howel Dha who hired them against Rytherick ap Jestin whom they discomfited and slew and by that means attained unto the government of Southwales which they two ruled jointly but yet with small quietness for the sons of Rytherick gathered a number of such as were their fathers friends to avenge his death with whom Howel and Meredith met at Hyarthwy and after long fight put them to flight But in the year following Meredith was slain by the sons of Conan the Son of Sitsylt brother to the worthy Prince Lhewelin to revenge their fathers death whom Meredith and his Brother had slain The year next ensuing certain Englishmen entred the Land of Gwent with whom Rytherick ap Jestin fought and was by them slain In the year 1037. Gruffith the son of Lhewelin ap Sitsylt sometime King of Wales raised a great number of people against Jago then enjoying the Principality or Kingdom of Northwales whom Jago likewise provided for as well as he could but the more part better souldiers were of Gruffiths side for the love they bare to his Father which afterward well appeared for the Armies meeting Jago was soon overthrown and slain This Jago left behind him a son called Conan by his wife Avandred daughter to Gweir the son of Pilh Gruffith ap Lhewlyn ap Sitsylt and Angharat Gruffith ap Lhewlin after he had slain Jago governed Northwales worthily in all things following his fathers steps who overcame both the Danes and the Englishmen divers times and defended his Country and people manfully all his reign In the first year of his government he fought with the Englishmen and Danes at Crosford upon Severn and put them to flight and from thence he led his army to Lhanpadarn Vawr in Caerdiganshire and destroyed it utterly and from thence passed all Southwales throughout and received the people to his subjection for Howel ap Edwin their King fled before his face and forsook the land This Howel procured Edwin the brother of Leofrike Earl of Chester or Mercia to come with an army of Englishmen and Danes to his aid against Prince Gruffith who met his enemies in the field and overcame them and slew the said Edwin but Howel escaped by flight after the which victory Gruffith made sundry invasions upon the Marshes toward Hereford and alwayes returned with great spoyles year 1038 When Gruffith had brought all Wale under his dominion he returned to Northwales again The year ensuing
whole Countrey Gruffith of Northwales and Rees of Southwales descending both lineally from Roderic the Great against whom came Trahern ap Caradoc and Caradoc Gruffith and Mailer the sons of Rywalhon ap Gwyn his cosin Germans for Gwyn ap Blethin was their Grandfather who in those daies were the chief Rulers of all Wales and after they had met at the Mountains of Carno they fought a cruel battel and were the more eager because upon that daies work lay the lives and honour of either party but at length the victory fell to Gruffith and Rees and Trahern with his cosins were all slain and most part of their people then the Kingdomes of Wales came under the rule of the right heirs again At this time also a noble man in VVales called Vrgency ap Sitsylht was slain by the sons of Rees Sais i. e. Rees the Englishman for so they used to name all such as had served in England or could speak English Gules three Lyons pass Gardant or other say onely passant which I rather approve of Gruffith the Son of Conan The Welsh Princes do homage to VVilliam the Conquerour After the death of Trahern Gruffith ap Conan did quietly rule Northwales and Rees ap Theodore Southwales In the year 1079. William commonly called the Conquerour entred VVales with a great Army and passed as far as Saint Davids where he offered and took homage of the Kings of the Land And not long after the Sepulchre of VValwey King Arthurs Sisters Son was found upon the sea shore in the Countrey of Ros the body by estimation upon viewing of the bones was thought to be fourteen foot in length VValwey in his life time was a right noble and valiant Warriour of very good reputation who ruled that Country which to this day from him is called VValwethay Caerdiff built And this year Sulion forsook his Bishoprick the second time and VVilfrid was enstalled in his place and in this time also the Town of Caerdyff was built year 1087 About the year 1087. the sons of Blethyn ap Convyn sometime King of VVales gathered their strengths together against Rees of Tewdor who not being able to meet them fled to Ireland and there he purchased to himself great friends and got an Army of Irishmen and Scots to whom he promised great Rewards when he should obtain his Kingdome and so landed in Southwales with those strangers which when his friends heard of they drew to him and the other came in all haste thinking to fight with him before his power should encrease and at Lhechryd they gave him battel where they were overthrown and two of the Brethren slain to wit Madoc and Riryd and the other fled and forsook the Countrey As soon as Rees was in quiet possession of his Kingdome he sent home his strangers with great rewards About this time the Shrine of Saint David was stollen out of the Church and when all the Jewels and Treasures were taken away the Shrine was left where it might be found again About this time the Earls of Hereford and Shrewsbury with the VVelshmen burned all VVorcestershire and Glocestershire to the very gates of VVorcester And in the year 1088. there was a terrible Earthquake through all the land and the year following dyed Sulien the godliest and wisest man and the greatest Clerk in all Wales being 89. years old About this time certain strangers which were Rovers upon the seas landed at St. David and robbed it and burned the Town at which time also Cadinor the the son of Colhoyn Lord of Dinet dyed whose sons Lhewelyn and Eneon moved Gruffith the son of Meredyth to make war against their Lord and Prince Rees ap Tewdor and so joyning all their strength together came against him to Lhandydoc where Rees was who gave them battail and putting them to flight pursued them so sore that he took Gruffith ap Meredith and put him death but Eneon son to Cadinor ap Colhoyn fled to Jestin Lord of Morganwc who likewise rebelled against Rees ap Theodor and promised upon condition to have Jestins daughter in marriage and certain other covenants then agreed upon between them to bring to their succours an army of Normans for he had served in England before and was well known and acquainted with all the English Nobility which things being thus concluded they were fully determined to be revenged upon Rees And so Eneon went to England and wrought such means that he procured Robert Fitzhamon in the reign of William Rufus which twelve other Knights to gather a great army of Frenchmen and Normans to come to their aid who shortly after landed in Glamorganshire where Jestin ap Gurgent Lord of the Land received them with much honour and joyning his power to theirs burned and spoyled Prince Rees it grieved him exceedingly whereupon he suddainly gathered his people and met him not far from Brecknock where after a terrible fight he was slain with whom fell and decayed the Kingdom of Southwales This Rees had by his wife the daughter of Rywalhon ap Convin a son called Gruffith who at his fathers death was but a very child and one Grovo that was in the Kings prison These Normans after they had received their promised Salary and great rewards of Jestin returned to their ships When Eneon burthened Jestin with the promise of his daughter in marriage Jestin laughed him to scorn and told him that he would bestow his daughter otherwise whereupon Eneon full of anger and despite followed the Normans and when he came to the shore they were all a shipboard Then he shouted to them and made a sign with his cloak to call them back and they returned again to know his meaning Then he went to the chiefest of them and shewed his abuse at Jestins hands declaring withall how easie it was for them to win that fair and pleasant Country from Jestin whom for his treason to Rees none other Prince of Wales would succour whereunto they easily perswaded turned all their power against him for whose defence they had come thither and at whose hands they had been well entertained and recompenced with rich gifts and rewards And first they spoyled him of his country who mistrusted them not and took all the fertile and valley land to themselves and left the barren and rough mountains for Eneon his part the names of Robert and the twelve Knights and parcels which fell to each ones share were these Azure a Lyon rampant gardant Or encensed gules Those men whose Coats are mentioned and their Heirs have enjoyed the Country to this day who were the first strangers that ever Inhabited Wales since the time oâ— Camber Of this King or Prince Master Mills saith Griffin Prince of Northwales son and successour of Conan the Prince between this Griffin or rather Gruffith and Blethyn Prince of Powis and Rees the son of Theodore Prince of Demetia there was a great search and enquiry made concerning their Armes and military Ensigns as
Montgomery had begun a Castle before And shortly after Madoc ap Riryd returned from Ireland because he could not well brook the Manners and conditions of the Irishmen and being arrived came to the Country of his Unkle Jorwerth who hearing that and fearing the loss of his Lands as his Brother Cadogan had done made a Proclamation that no Man should aid him but take him as an Enemy which when Madoc understood he enticed many unthrifts and outlaws and kept himself in the Rocks and Woods contriving how he might be revenged on Jorwerth for so great a discourtesie as he imagined and thereupon concluded a friendship privately with Lhywarch ap Trahearn who hated Jorwerth to death and having intelligence that Jorwerth lay one night at Caerneon they two gathered all their strength and environ'd the house about midnight which Jorwerth and his Men perceiving armed themselves and defended the place till their foes set it on fire which when Jorwerth's Men perceived every one shifted for himself so that some were slain others burnt few escaping Jorwerth having the true heart of a noble Prince chose rather to adventure and manfully to dye with sword in hand then to be burnt without a glorious action came out but his merciless Enemies received him with the point of their spears and violently cast him into the flames of the raging fire where that gallant man payed what was due to nature death yet by which his name is eternized As soon as the King understood this he called Cadogan before him and gave him his brothers Land which was Powis and promised Owen his pardon willing his Father to send him to Ireland When Madoc saw his other Unkle Cadogan rule the Country he hid himself in rough and desert places and adding one mischief upon an other determined also to murder him by one way or an other Therefore after Cadogan had brought the Country to some stay of quietness and administred Justice therein having ever an eye and respect to the King he came to Trallwug now called Pool and the elders of the Country with him and determining to dwell there began to build a Castle But Madoc hatching nothing but mischief hearing this came suddainly upon him and Cadogan thinking no hurt was slain before he could either fight or fly After this Madoc sent incontinently to the Bishop of London the Kings Lieutenant at Shrewsbury and entreated him to remember what he had promised when he chased Owen out of his Land for the Bishop hated Owen and Cadogan and gave Madoc all such Lands as his brother Ithel was possessed of Meredyth the Son of Blethyn hearing of the death of both his brethren posted to the King desiring of him the Lands of Jorwerth which Cadogan had lately obtained and the King gave him the rule thereof till such time as Owen Son to Cadogan should come from Ireland who came shortly after and went to the King who received him to his peace and gave him his Lands whereupon Owen promised to the King a great Fine and gave pledges for payment of the same likewise Madoc did fine to the King for his peace and lands nevertheless the King wisht him to take heed of the Kinsfolks of such as he had murdered upon his own peril year 1112 In the year 1112. Meredyth ap Blethyn sent a party to make an Inroad into the Country of Lhywarch ap Trahearn ap Gwyn who was Meredyths and Owens Enemy as he that succoured Madoc to kill his Unkles Jorwerth and Cadogan Meredyths brethren These Men as they passed through the Country of Madoc in the night met with a Man which belonged to Madoc The welsh despairing one of another make way for their enemy to subvert them all whom they took and examined where his Master was he at first said that he could not tell but being threatned with death he confessed that he was not far from thence Therefore they lay quietly all that night and in twy-light next morning they came suddainly upon Madoc and his men where they slew many of them and taking Madoc prisoner they brought him to their Lord who was right glad thereof and secured his person till he had sent word to his Nephew Owen who immediately upon the news repaired thither A great curtesie no question to put out a mans eyes and save his life then Meredyth delivered Madoc unto him And albeit he had slain Owens Father his own Unkle yet Owen remembering the friendship and Oath that had been betwixt them in times past would not put him to death but putting out his eyes let him go Then Meredyth and Owen divided the Lands betwixt them which was Caerneon Aberhiw and the third part of Devthwr year 1113 The year following King Henry prepared an Army against Wales being thereunto provoked by such as would have the Welshmens Lands to wit Gilbert Strongbow Earl of Strigyl to whom the King had given Caerdigan who made grievous complaints against Owen ap Cadogan declaring that he received and maintained such as robbed and plundered the Country Also Hugh Earl of Chester said no less by Gruffith ap Conan Prince of Northwales A rash and unchristian oath how that his men and the Men of Grono ap Owen ap Edwyn Lord of Tegengl wasted the Country of Cheshire adding to aggravate the matter that Gruffith did neither acknowledg to owe service nor pay tribute to the King whereupon the King swore that he would not leave one living Creature in Northwales and Powis Land but new colonize them Then dividing his army into three parts the leading of the first he committed to Gilbert Earl of Strygull Two great Kings against two petty princes a great conquest no doubt wherein was the whole power of all the fourth part of England and Cornwall against Southwales Alexander King of Scotland had the leading of the second division with Hugh Earl of Chester wherein the power of Scotland and the North was which went against Northwales and the King led the third himself wherein was the strength of midle England Then Meredith ap Blethyn fearing this came and yielded himself to the King But Owen fearing to commit himself to them who were so greedy of his Lands fled to Gruffith ap Conan to Northwales whereupon the King turning all his strength that way came himself as far as Murcastelh and the King of Scots as far as Pennant Bachwy but the people fled to the mountains and woods and carried all their victualls and cattel with them so that the King could not follow them and such of his Men as entered the Land were either slain or galled in the Straits Then the Scottish King sent to the Prince to come and yield himself to the King and promised him the Kings peace but he was acquainted with such promises and would not The King therefore because he would not return without doing something sent to Owen to come to him and to forsake the Prince who was not able to defend
And all the lands that were of Rees ap Meredyth The large liberties and priviledges of the Prince of Wales which came to the hands of King Edward the First together with all the Lordships Cities Castles Burrowes Townes Manours Members Hamlets and Tenements Knights fees Voydances of Bishopricks Advowsons of Churches and of Abbeys Priories and of Hospitals with customes and prisages of wines The exercise and Execution of Justice and a Chancery Forrests Chases Parks Woods Warrens Hundreds Comoâ—s c. And all other Hereditaments as well unto the said principality as unto the said King in those parts then belonging To have and to hold the same unto the sad Prince and his heirs Kings of England This limitation of Estate of this principality unto the prince and his heirs Kings of England may seem strange to our Modern Lawyers For how is it possible that the Kings of England can inherit the principality since the principality being the lesser dignity is extinguished in the Kingly Estate being the greater for in presentia majoris cessat id quod minus est for as much as the Heir apparent of the crown being Prince is presently upon the death of his Ancestor eo instante King himself and the principality as the lesser not compatible with the Kingdom being the greater But when I consider that this age where in this Charter was penned was a learned age of Judges and Lawyers by whose advice no doubt in a matter of this importance this Charter was penned and this age much commended for exquisite knowledg of the lawes by those learned Men that lived in the succeeding times I cannot but think reverently of antiquity although I cannot yield sufficient reason of their doings therein Nevertheless for as much as all the Charters in the ages following made to the Prince do hold the same manner of limitation of Estate Sr. John Dodridge his opinion concerning a difficulty I am perswaded some mystery of good policy lies hid therein which as I conceive may be this or such like The Kings of England thought to confer upon the Prince and heir apparent an Estate in Fee simple in the lands that they bestowed upon him for a lesser than an Inheritance had not been answerable to so great a dignity And yet they were not willing to give him any larger Estate then such as should extinguish again in the Crown when he came to be King or died for that he being King should also have the like power to create the Prince or his heir apparent and to invest him into that dignity as he being the Father was invested by his Progenitor For the wisdom of the Kings of England was such as that they would not deprive themselves of that honour but that every of them might make new Creations and Investitures of the principality to ther Eldest Son and next succeeding heir apparent and that those lands so given unto the Prince might when he was King be annexed knit and united again to the crown and out of the crown to be anew conferred which could not so have been if those lands had been given to the Prince and his heirs generall for then the lands so given would have rested in the natural person of the Princes after they came to the Kingdome distinct from the Crown Lands and might as the case should happen descend to others then those which were his heirs apparent to the Crown And herein I do observe a difference between the principality of Wales given to the Prince and the Dutchy of Cornewall given unto him For every Prince needeth and so hath had a new creation and investiture But he is Duke of Cornewal as soon as he is born if his Ancestor be then King of England and if not he is Duke of Cornwall eo instante that his father is King of England The said King also by an another charter dated the 20 of September in the said 17. year of his reign granted unto the said prince all arrerages of rents duties accompts Stocks stores goods and chattels remaining in all and every the said parts due or by right belonging unto the King and thereupon the prince accordingly was possessed by vertue of these charters of all these aforesaid It resteth that here we set down the Total Annual value of the said Principality of Wales by it self as it appeareth upon a diligent Survey thereof taken in the 5. year of the reign of the said King Edw. the III. of England and in the 37. of his reign over France The survey of the principality of Wales is drawn out of a long Record and to avoid tediousness the value of the revenues of every County or Shire is here set down and then the total of the whole omitting the particulars of every Mannour Lordship Town or other profit in every of the said Counties The setting down whereof at large would have been exceeding combersome and intricate It is therefore in this manner The Province of Northwales The summe total of all the Princes Revenues in the County or Shire of Caernarvon 1134l 16 s 2d ob q. The summe total of the Revenues of the province in the County of Anglesey 832l 14 s 6d ob q. The sum total of the revenues in the county of Meryoneth amounteth unto 748l 11 s 3d. ob q The perquisites and profits of the Sessions of the Justices of Northwales The summe Total of all the former Revenues in Northwales amounteth to 3041l 7 s 6d. q. Whereof deducted the yearly Fee of the Justice of Northwales and there remains the summe of 3001l 7 s 6d. q. The Province of Southwales The summe totall of the yearly Revenue of the prince in the county of Caerdigan 374l 11 s 3d. q. The summe total of the yearly Revenue of the prince arising in the County of Caermardhyn 406l 1 s 7d. The Fee Farme of Buelht 113l 6 s 8d. Montgomery 56l 13 s 4d. Perquisites and profits of the Sessions of the Justice of Southwales 738l 6 s 9d. ob Perquisites of the Courts of Haverford 41l. 5 s. 3d. ob The summe total of the Revenues in Southwales 1730l 4 s 11d q. Out of which deducted for the Fee of the Justice of Southwales 50l. there then remaineth 1681l 4s 11d q. The total of all which Revenues of the Principality of VVales cast up in one entire summe together is 4681l 12 s 5d q. This survey was made upon this occasion as it seemeth after the death of the prince called the black Prince the Princesse his wife was to have her dowry to be allotted unto her out of those Revenues which could not be without an extent or survey thereof first had by Commissioners thereunto appointed And because the yearly value of the said revenues by reason of the casual profits thereof were more or lesse yearly and not of one certain value the Commissioners observed this course they did make choice of three several years viz. 47 and 48 and 49. of Edw. III. and
great credit and favour between whom and the Lord Grey of Ruthin happen some discord about a piece of Commons lying between the Lordship of Ruthin and the Lordship of Glyndourdwy whereof Owen was owner and thereof took the sirname of Glindour during the reign of K. Richard Owen was too hard for the Lord Grey being then a servitour in court with K. Rich. with whom he was at the time of his taking in the castle of Flint by the Duke of Lancaster but after that K. Richard was put down the Lord Grey being now better friended then Owen entred upon the said Commons whereupon Owen having many friends and followers in his country as those that be great with princes commonly have put himself in armour against the Lord Grey whom he meeting in the field overcame and took prisoner The Welsh ever addicted to believe prophesies This was the very beginning and cause Owens rising and attempts upon the taking of the Lord Grey and spoyling of his Lordship of Ruthin many resorted to Owen from all parts of Wales some thinking that he was now as well in favour as in K. Richards time some other putting in his head that now the time was come wherein the Brittains through his means might recover again the honour and liberty of their ancestours A caveat for Mr. Pugh and such as are over credulous in prophesies These things being laid before Owen by such as were very cunning in Merlins prophesies and the interpretations of the same for there were in those dayes as I fear there be now some singular men which are deeply overseen in those mysteries and hope one day to mete velvet upon London bridge with their bowes brought him into such a fools paradice that he never considering what title he might pretend or what right he had proceeded and made war upon the Earle of March who was the the right Inheritor as well to the principality of Wales as appeareth formerly as to the Crown of England after the death of K. Rich. being descended from the elder brother next to Edw. Prince of Wales father of K. Rich. of which insurrection rebellion there ensued much mischief unto the Welshmen for the King conceiving great hatred against them shewed himself a manifest opressour of all that nation making rigorous lawes against them whereby he took in a manner all the liberties of subjects from them Cruel Lawes against the Welsh probibiting all Welshmen from purchasing lands or to be chosen or received Citizens or Burgesses in any City Burrough or market towns or to be receied or accepted to any office of Maior Bailiffe Chamberlain Constable or Keeper of the gates or of the goale or to be of the Councel of any City Burrough or Town or to bear any manner of armour within any City c. And if any suit happened between a Welshman an Englishman it was by law ordained that the Englishman should not be convict unlesse it were by the judgment of English Judges and by the verdict of the whole English Burgesses or by Inquests of English Burroughs and Towns of the signiories where the suit lay also that all Englishmen that married Welshwomen should be disfranchized of their liberty no congregation or meetings in councel was permitted to Welshmen but by licence of the chief Officers of the said signiory and in the presence of the same Officers That no victualls nor armour should be brought into Wales without the special licence of the King or his Councel That no Welshman should have any Castle Fortresse or house defensive of his own or of any other mans to keep no Welshman to be made Justice Chamberlain Chancellour Treasurer Sheriff Steward Constable of Castle Receiver Eschetor Coronor nor chief Forrester nor other Officer nor Keeper of Records nor Lieutenant in any of the said Offices in no part of Wales nor of the councel of any English Lord notwithstanding any patent or licence made to the contrary That no Englishman which in the time to come shall marry any Welshwoman be put in any Office in VVales or in the Marches of the same These with other lawes both unreasonable and unconcionable such as no prince among the Heathen ever offered to his subjects were ordained and severely executed against them Neither was it any reason that for the offence of one man his complices all the whole nation should be so persecuted whereby not only they that lived in that time but also their children and posterity should be brought to perpetual thraldom and misery A law more cruel then that Julian the Apostate for these lawes were not ordained for their Reformation but of meer purpose to work their utter ruine and destruction which doth evidently appear in that they were forbidden to keep their children at learning or to put them to be apprentises to any occupation in any Town or Burrough in this realme Let any indifferent man therefore judge and consider whether this extremity of law where Justice it self is meer injury and cruelty be not a cause and matter sufficient to withdraw any people from civility to barbarisme 〈…〉 This Hen. dyed in the 10th year of his reign leaving a son behind him being an infant of ten moneths who by reason of his tender age was not as by any word extent can be proved ever created prince but was proclaimed King immediately after the death of his father by the name of Henry the Sixt. Edward of Westminster Henry the sixt by the advice of his Lords Spiritual and Temporal given to him in his Parliament holden in the 31 year of his reign did afterwards by his charter bearing date 15 day of March 32. Regni created Edward his son born at Westminster by one and the self same patent to be both prince of Wales and Earle of Chester and invested him therein His Creation with the usual Ensignes of that dignity as had been in former time accustomed TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said dignities to him and his heirs Kings of England Sr. J. Dodridge which Charter is recited in the Act of Parliament holden at Westminster 9. Julii anno 33. regni In the which Act of Parliament is also recited another Charter likewise confirmed by the said Parliament whereby the said King did give unto the said Prince the said principality of Wales together with all the Lordships and lands Castles and Tenements by speciall names above mentioned and all in the former Charters granted and conveied to the former Princes and the said Fee Farms and Rents of 113 l. 13 s. ob out of the Lordship and Town of Buelht and the said 56l 13s 4d out of the Lordship Castle and Town of Montgomery likewise mentioned in the Charters of the former Prince To have and to hold to him and his heirs Kings of England By the same Act of Parliament also it was enacted because the said prince was then of tender years and there was assigned unto him a certain
franchises being possessed or claimed by any person or persons and which were to be seized into the Kings hands and of all escapes and Fellons and those inquisitions so from time to time to be taken to certifie into the Chancery And by the same Charter gave him power to substitute and appoint others under him for the better execution of the same which afterwards by Commission was executed accordingly And the said King also by his Charter bearing date 14 Junii 8º regni made and constituted the said Arthur Prince of Wales and Governour and Warden of the Marches towards Scotland and substituted as his Lieutenant and Vice-Warden under him Thomas Earle of Surrey for the due execution thereof Likewise the said King by his letters Patents dated 5. Novemb. 9. regni in augmention of the Revenue of the Prince did grant unto the said Prince the Honour Castle and Lordship of Wigmore and divers other Castles Mannours and Lands which some time had been belonging to the Earldom of March which came to the Crown by King Edward the IV. who was himself Earle of March before he assumed the regal estate To have and to hold during the pleasure of the King yielding yearly the Rent of 200 l. A Councel assigned the P. The Prince was sent unto the Marches of Wales for government of that Country and in the 17 regni Henry VII had a Counsell of wise and very worthy men assigned unto him as namely Sr. Richard Pool chief Chamberlain of the said Prince Sir Henry Vernon Sir Richard Crofts Sir David Philips Sir William Vdal Sir Thomas Inglefield and Sir Peter Newton Knights John Wilson Henry Marian Doctor William Smith after Bishop of Lincolne where he was buryed President of the Councel and Doctour Charles where not long afterwards the said Prince died in the Castle of Ludlow without issue I may not let passe what Mr. Lhoyd writeth concerning Sir Owen Tuder he saith that Sir William Stanley then Lord of Cromfield Mr. Lhoyd fol. 391. Yale and Chirkland aided Henry VII being followed by the Welshmen and that the said Henry knowing and pittying the thraldom and iniuries of that Nation from whom he descended took order to reform the same and granted vnto them a Charter of liberties The bondage of Hen. IV. taken from the Welsh by Hen. VII whereby they were released of that oppression wherewith they were afflicted by lawes I have set down before more heathenish then christian and here I cannot omit but some thing answer the reproachful and slanderous assertions of Joannes Bernardus Pontus Henlerus and others I my self have seen a manuscript where he is called a Shereman but rather ignorantly I hope then maliciously who go about to abase the noble parentage of Owen Tuder the Kings Grandfather following more their own affections then any good proof or authority for if they would read that noble work of Matthew Paris they shall find in page 843. of the printed book that Ednivet Vachan one of his Ancestours was the chiefest of Councel to Lhewelin ap Jorwerth otherwise called Leolenus Magnus and to David ap Lhewelin Princes of Wales as formerly They may also find in the Records of the Tower of London in an 29. Edward I. in the general homage done to Prince Edward of Caernavon first prince of Wales of the English bloud that Tuder ap Grono another of the Ancestours of Owen did his homage among the Nobles of Wales Owen Tuder descended from the K. of England as appeareth in the said Records Further the said Owens Grandmother the wife of Tuder ap Grono was Margaret the daughter of Thomas the son of Elianor which was the daughter of the County of Barr by Elianor his wife daughter to Edward I. King of England Besides all this there was a Commission at this time directed by King Edward VII to the Abbot of Lhan Egwest Doctor Owen Pool Canon of Hereford and John King Herald to make inquisition concerning the parentage of the said Owen who coming to VVales travelled in that matter and used the helps of Sir John Levof Guttin Owen Bardh Gruffith ap Lhewelin ap Evan Vachan and others in the search of the Brittish or Welsh books of Pedigrees out of the which they drew his perfect Genealogy from the Antient Kings of Brittain and the Princes of VVales and so returned their Commission which return is extant to be seen at this day And I God willing will set forth what I have in a compendium which I intend to annex to this present treatise of many things which cannot be well digested in method of History yet much conduce to the Glory of the Welsh the several princely stems from whence Owen Tuder and consequently the succeeding Kings of England descended Henry Duke of York After the death of Prince Arthur King Henry VII Charta creationis P. Wal. by his letters patents dated the 18 of February 19 regni in a parliament created Henry then his only son who after was King Henry VIII and whom before that in the 11. he had made Lord Lieutenant of Ireland by an other Charter of the same year Constable of the Castle of Dover to be Prince of Wales Earle of Chester being then about the age of twelve years To have and to hold to him and his heirs Kings of England for ever being the like limitation of Estate and with the like investure as in former times had been acustomed But whether the King did grant the lands and revenues belonging to the said principality unto the said Henry or no as he had done unto Prince Arthur his brother doth not appear by any Charter therof that as yet can be found After the death of King Henry VII the said Prince Henry was King of England by the name of King Henry VIII he had a issue son called Henry who dyed very young he likewise had issue the Lady Mary afterwards Queen and the Lady Elizabeth and lastly prince Edward the youngest in years who first reigned after the death of his said father by the name of Edward the Sixt. Mary The Lady Mary daughter to the same King Henry the VIII Mr. Lhoyd fol. 393. by the Queen Catherine his first wife was Princesse of Wales and in the 17. year of King Henries reign he sent John Voiseie Bishop of Exeter to be Lord President of the Councel of the said Princesse in the Marches of Wales Elizabeth Elizabeth daughter to King Henry the VIII Mr. Lhoyd fol. 394. was in a Parliament begun the 15 day of January in the 25 regni declared Princesse and Inheritrix of the Crown of England with all the Dominions to the same belonging in default of issue male of the body of the said King Henry Sr. John Dodridge doth not approve of King Edward VI. Queen Mary or Queen Elizabeth to have been Prince or Princesse formally for he saith there cannot be found any Charter among the records whereby it may appear that any of
Kings bench And if the said erroneous judgment shall be in any Action personal the same shall be reversed by bill before the Lord president of the Marches and councel there Officers Ministers Clerks and Writers for the expediting of the said great Sessions First there are the Chamberlains of every the said circuits as hath been said who are properly and Originally the Treasurers of the Revenue within their charge and by the said Statutes are also Keepers of the seals as aforesaid therein they do undertake in part the Office of a Chancellour And in every of the said circuits there is the Atturney or Regius Advocatia and Sollicitor There is a Protonotary or chief Register who draweth all the pleadings Protonotary Clâ—rk of the Crown entereth and engrosseth the Records and Judgments in civil causes and ingrossing Fines And there is also a Clerk of the Crown which draweth and ingrosseth all inditements and proceedings arraignments and judgments in criminal causes and these two Officers are at the King or States appointment There is a Marshal to attend the persons of the Judges at their common sitting and going from the Sessions or Court There is a Marshal There is a Cryer Tanquam publicus preco to call forth such persons whose apparences are necessary and to impose silence to the people And these two Officers last remembred are deposed by the Justices And thus much touching the Justices of the great Sessions There are also other ordinary Officers appointed for every Shire in Wales by the said Statute 34. Henry 8. such and in like manner as in other the Shires in England There is a commission under the great Seal of England to certain Gentlemen What a Justice of peace giving them power to preserve the peace and resist and punish all turbulent persons whose misdemeanour may tend to the disquiet of the people and these are called Justices of peace and every of them may well be termed Eirnarcha the chief of them is called Custos Rotulorum in whose custody all the Records of their proceedings are resident Others there are of that number called Justices of the peace and Quorum because of their Commissions whereby they have power to sit and determine causes concerning breach of peace and misbehaviour the words of the Commission are conceived thus Quorum such and such Vnum vel duos c. Esse volumus and without some one or more of them of the Quorum no Sessions can be holden and for the avoiding of the superfluous number of such Justices 8. Justices onely allowed in every County of Wales for through the ambition of many it is accounted a credit to be burthened with that Authority The Satute of 34 Hen. 8. hath expresly prohibited that there shall be above eight Justices of Peace within every of the Counties and Shires of Wales which if the number were not indefinite for the Shires in England it were the better These Justices do hold their Sessions quarterly And it is further ordained by the Statute of 34 Hen 8. that two Justices of peace whereof one to be of the Quorum may hold their Sessions without any greater number In every of the said Shires where the said Commission of peace is established There is also a Clerk of the peace for the entring and engrossing of all proceedings before the said Justices and this Officer is appointed by the Custos Rotulorum Sr. John Dod fol. 49. Every of the said Shires hath a Sheriff which word being of the Saxon English is as much as to say a Shire-Reeve or Minister or Bailiff of the County his Function or Office is twofold Ministerial and Judicial As touching his Ministerial Office he is the Minister and Executioner of all the Process and Precepts of the Courts of Law and thereof ought to make return and certificate Why the Tourne Court so called and as touching the Judicial Office he hath Authority to hold two several Courts of distinct natures the one called the Tourne because he keepeth a Tourne or Circuit about the Shire holding the same in several places wherein he doth enquire of all offences perpetrated against the common Law and not forbidden by any Statute or Act of Parliament The County Court derived from Justice Communicative And the Jurisdiction of this Court is derived from justice distributive and is for criminal offences The other is called the County Court where he doth determine all petty and small causes civil under the value of 40 s. arising within the said County and thereof it is called the County Court And the Jurisdiction of this Court is drawn from Justice Communicative and is held every Moneth The Office of the Sheriff is annual by the Statute of 34 Hen. 8. it is ordained that the Lord President Councel and Justices of Wales or three of them at the least whereof the President to be one shall yearly nominate three fit persons for that Office of whom the King or State may elect one who thereupon shall have his Patent and be Sheriff of the said Shire Escheator why so called Every of the said Shires hath an Officer called an Escheator which is an Officer to attend the Kings Revenue and to seize into his hands all lands either Escheated goods or lands forfeited therefore he is called Escheator and he is to enquire by good enquest of the death of the Kings Tenants and to whom the lands are descended and to seize the bodies and lands for Ward if they be within age and is accountable for the same And this Officer in Wales is nominated Escheator 34 Hen. 8. cap. 16. by the Lord Treasurer of England by the advice of the Lord President Councel and Justices or three of them at least whereof the Lord President to be one There are also in every of the said Shires two Officers called Coroners they are to enquire by enquest in what manner and by whom every person dying a violent death came to his death and to enter the same of Record which is matter criminal and a plea of the Crown Coroners why so called and thereof they are called Coroners or Crowners as one hath written because their enquiries ought to be publick Et in Corona Populi These Officers are are chosen by the Free-holders of the Shire by vertue of a Writ out of the Chancery De Coronatore Eligendo And of them I need not speak more because these Officers are elsewhere The Goal Forasmuch as every Shire hath one Goal or Prison appointed for the restraint of liberty of such persons as for their offences are thereunto committed until they shall be delivered by course of Law Finally in every hundred of every of the said Shires the Sheriffs thereof shall nominate sufficient persons to be Bailiffs of that hundred and under Ministers of the Sheriff and they are to attend upon the Justices in every of their Courts and Sessions The Government of the Marches of Wales
medicinable and necessary to purge sad humors and cure diseases even so Tyrants are necessary to purge the sins and cure the vices of wicked Subjects To which end saith he Phalaris the Tyrant was ordained by Almighty God to govern the Agrigentins and Marius the Romans As for the brutish sin of Mempricius holy Gildas brings it in as one amongst the rest for which God so severely punished the Britains De excidio Britanniae and touching briefly the lives of some of the Kings and Princes that were in his time as of Constantius Aurelius Conanus Vortiporius Cuneglasus and Maglocus taxing them with Tyranny perjury sacrilegious murders and parricides committed even before the holy Altars c. yea and two of them of Sodomy for which and other general corruptions and wickedness Gildas threatneth or rather prophesyeth the utter ruine and destruction which was to follow which also Geffrey of Monmouth acknowledgeth saying that King Cadwallader the last of the Race of the Britains used these words as he fled by the Sea into France with the reliques of the Brittish Nation Vae nobis peccatoribus ob immania scaelera nostra c. And truly so great is the sin of Lust especially in Kings and great Dukes and other Commanders in the sight of God how little soever in these our sinful times we make of it that whole Kingdomes for it have been destroyed The Kingdom of Spain when it had flourished as well in Religion as Power from the time of King Richard the first Catholick King thereof for the space of 120 years the wicked King Vitiza being a man given over to all lust and carnality infected and corrupted all Spain not onely with the bad example of his one dissolute life having many Wives at once besides Concubines but also with abominable lawes whereby he gave leave to all sorts of men to have as many Wives and Concubines as they listed yea and forced Priests and such as lived Chast to Marry by which means all Spain became within a while to be no better then a common stew or brodel and although Almighty God according to his accustomed manner expected their conversion and amendment all the time of his Reign and layed only the penalty thereof upon him whom he deprived both of his Crown and of his Eye-sight by the means of Roderick who succeeded him in the Kingdome yet when the said Roderick followed his steeps as well in his vicious life as in the maintenance of his abominable Laws it pleased God of his justice to permit him to give the occasion both of his own ruine as also of the overthrow of all Spain by the sin of the flesh wherewith the whole Kingdome was as it were overflowed For as whereas King Roderick had sent a Kinsman of his own called Count Julian Ambassador into Africk and in the mean time Ravished his Daughter or as some write his Wife the Count understanding it at his return was so incensed therewith against the King that for revenge thereof he practised with the Moores to bring them into Spain who with his assistance Conquered it so speedily and with such destruction of the people that the punishment of God was most evident therein for having first overthrown King Roderick whose body could never after the battel be found they subdued almost all Spain in Eight months or in Fourteen as some say and slew 700000. of all sorts of people besides great numbers of Captives which they sent prisoners into Barbary and from that time forwards they remained in the possession of that Kingdome or in some great part thereof for the space of 700 years This example of the Conquest and subversion of Spain for the sins of the flesh was so famous and so much observed by Godly and Wise men at the same time when it hapned that St. Bonifacius a Countryman of ours and Bishop of Mentz in Cermany who lived in the same age and converted the Saxons and Frisons from Paganisme to the Christian Faith proposed it to one called Etholbud King of the Mercians to withdraw him from his dissolute life and tells him that in old Saxony where there was no Christianity there if either Maid or Wife did commit Adultery or Fornication she was first strangled and after burnt and he that corrupted her Hanged over her or else she was stripped naked to the middle and whipped by chast Matrons from Town to Town and prickt with sharp Knives till shee dyed therewith EBRANCK EBranck after the unfortunate death of his Father by the general consent and Approbation of both Nobles and Commons is invested in the Regal Dignity Anno mundi Creationis Policronica Gaufride and others 4182. Authors affirm that he had a thing in those times not unusual one and twenty wives by whom he was enriched with a plentifull and numerous off-spring to wit twenty Sons and thirty daughters whereof the most fair and beautifull was named Guales or Gualea these daughters intending to uphold the Trojan blood he sent to Alba Silvius the eleventh King of Italy or seventh of the Latines there to be espoused unto Trojans This Ebranck was a comely man Majestical and well proportioned of incomparable valour and as desirous of Martial Attempts as his Progenitor Brutus and therefore providing all Warlike Engines and Furniture correspondent to his designs he attempts to invade France which is testified by Jacobus Bergomas in the sixth of his Chronicles and Jacobus Lessabeus in the description of Henalt affirmeth the same and that he was driven back by Brunchildis Lord of Henalt with some loss of his men Yet Fabian affirmeth this Voyage to have been prosperous and successfull insomuch that what by his own fancies judgement and policie being assisted by the Trojan-Latines or Latine-Trojans where he had espoused his daughter he over-ran and conquered a great part of Germany Some Authors ascribe this Conquest and good fortune to Assaracus the second Son of Ebranck with the rest of the younger brothers and esteem it no great service or enterprise of moment for that Europe was then scarce peopled and Colonized unless towards the Sea Coasts as Dalmatia Italy and the coasts of France of these Brethren had Germany the name à Germanis fratribus who subdued it Ebrank thus fortunate either in his own undertakings or in these of his children having setled his affairs to his hearts desire begins to take into consideration the beautifying and strengthning Britannia and as Brutus about an hundred and fourty years if he built it in the second year of his Reign before to his eternal glory had built Troynovant Ebranck with no less ambition to continue and perpetuate his name and memory layeth the foundation of a glorious City calling it being fully finished after his own nomenclation Caer Ebrank which now we call York A late learned Author saith it is a common received opinion among our Antiquaries Mr. Brough fol. 280. 2. that Ebrancus son to Mempricius a hundred years after the
Epist by the Brittish History Dinuanius was also bishop there Episcopatus Guintonia Dinvanio decernitur the same author produceth an old Manuscript which testifieth another Monasterie founded at Winchester only his error is which the Antiquity doth not say that it was the Cathedral Church confounding them as one whereas both the Brittish History and Matthew of Westminster make them two several Churches otherwise he thus truly writeth a Church in Winchester according to a report that I find in an old Manuscript was first built and erected by King Lucius who abolishing Paganisme embraced Christ about the year of our Lord 180. and placing Monks in the same allotted for their maintenance large Revenues which heretofore had belonged for the most part unto the Flamens and other Heathenish Priests and this Monasterie so continued untill the persecution of Dioclesian when it was destroyed and the Monks martyred or dispersed yet upon the ceasing of the persecution it was presently within one year and thirty days new builded and the Church hallowed and dedicated unto the honour and memory of Amphibalus who was a noble Brittain that had suffered death for Christ in the late persecution by Constans bishop of Winchester in the year 309. the 15. day of March at the request of Deodatus the Abbot The first Dedication of that Church in King Lucius time 〈◊〉 Bâ—ough â—â—l â—09 by the two Legats Faganus and Damianus bishops was by that old Antiquity October the 29. 189. The Antiquities of Winchester make it more ancient and it thus continued a famous Monasterie until the year 519. at which time Cerdick the first King of the West Saxons converted the Church into a Temple of Dagon and either slew or chased away all the Monks This was that holy Sanctuary whither to the Altar of this Church one of the Sons of Mordred did flie for succour against Constantine the younger who there cruelly slew him before the Altar Constantinus filios Morâ—redi caepit alterum juvenem Wintoniae in Ecclesiam Sancti Amphibali fugientem aute altare trucidaâ—it in the year 543. others say that it continued within 17 years of St. Augustin's coming hither others continue Christians there for longer time Winchester hath honoured both Earls and Marquesses with their Titles As first 1. Saer de Quincy E. a Fess and labell of xi points 2. Robert de Quincy Gules 7. Mascles Or 33. 1. 3. Hugh de Spencer Quarterly the first and 4. arg the 2. and 3. each charged with a fret Or a bond sable 4. Lewes de Bruges Azure 10 Mascles 4. 3. 2 and 1. Or on a Canton Gules a Lyon passant gardant of the second 5. William Pawlett E. of Wiltshire and Marquesse of Winchester 6. John Pawlett 7. William Pawlett 8. William Pawlett 9. John Pawlet Marquesse of Winchester 1657. Sable 3 swords in pile Argent hilts and pomels Or a mullet for difference The Third City which this King built was Caer Septon now called Shaftsbury and Caer Paladur ut falso vulgus putabat saith Mr Cambden for he takes and draws what he can from Brittish glory it seems the Welshmen gave him no liberal hospitality in his travels for he is no friend of theirs he will by all means ascribe the building of this place to King Alfred producing this Monument and Malmsburiensis for his Author Anno Dominicae Incarnationis Elfridus Rex fecit hanc Vrbem DCCCLXXX Regni sui VIII The Saxons called this place Scheafverbyryg it may be from the broach or spice which in their language they call Scheaf in this place one Aquila whether Man or Eagle is incertain by the report of Historians is said to have prophesied the future times of this Empire and that after the Reigns of the Saxons and Normans it should again return unto the Government of the Brittish Kings In this City was St. Edward the Martyr Son of Edgar and one and thirtieth Monarch of the English Nation interred 972. being murdered at Corf Castle by his Stepmother Aelfrith to make way for her own Son to the Crown But as concerning Mr. Cambden who would gladly take away the glory of building this place from the Brittons the Predecessors and Forefathers of the Welshmen so abusively called by their Enemies and confer it upon the Saxons Hear what a learned Writer saith and a deep Searcher into Antiquities having demonstrated where the Primates and Metropolitans of this I le have their Sees which I will shew you as occasion requires after tells you where the Suffragans or ordinary bishops had theirs taking two Rules for his direction From Antiquity the one that they were placed as the custom was in our Brittish Cities the other that they were ordained where the Pagan Flamens were before Gildas writeth that Brittain had 28 Cities besides strong Castles bis denis bisque quaternis civitatibus instructa but he names them not but Ranulphus Higeden the Monk of Chester citing Alfridus tells us thus Regio Britanniae erat quondam civitatibus nobilissimis 28 Insignita The Country of Britain was in old times adorned with 28 Cities beside innumerable number of Castles defensed with strong Walls Towers Gates and Locks The Names of the Cities were these Caer Lud i.e. London Caer Ebrane i.e. York Caer Kent Canterbury Caergorongon Worcester Caerlyrion Leicester Caer Glau Glocester Caer Golden Colchester Caerrei Chichester which the Saxons anciently called Cissancester Caer Ceri Cirencester Caer went Winchester Caergrant Cambridge Caerlile Lugubalia Caerlile Caerperis Porchester Caer drom Dorchester Caerludcoit Lincoln Caer Merthin i. e. the City of Merlin Caersegen Silcester was is seated upon Thames not far from Reading Caerthleon or Caerlegion i. e. the City of Legions which first was called Lenscester but now Chester Caer Badon Bath which sometime was called the City of Achamannus Caer Paladur now ut falso credebat vulgus good Mr. Cambden here are Authors above vulgar people Septona now called Shaftsbury there are also other names of Cities sound in Chronicles This King reigned 29 years or as Fabian saith 39. who calls Septon or Shaftsbury Mount Paladur by reason that it is seated upon a Hill BLADVD the Son of Lud Hardibras BLadud the Son of Hardibras took upon him the Crown of this Iland in the year of the Worlds creation 4318. This King was much addicted to Learning insomuch that he undertook a Journey to Athens the most famous City in the World for the knowledge of Philosophy Astrology and all other Sciences whatsoever there fully to be instructed by the grave Philosophers of that place neither was he content to become learned himself learning indeed being the greatest ornament a Prince can have but he endeavoured likewise to confer so great a Treasure upon the Nobles of his Court and Subjects of his Realm and to that end he brought from Athens with him into our Brittain four learned Philosophers to lay a platform and found an habitation for the Muses and Nursery for Learning making choice of
and ten poor people with a Collegiat Church a Dean twelve Canons Prebendaries as many Vicars sufficiently provided for with Revenues wherein himself lyeth buried and it was the greatest ornament of that City untill the hand of King Henry the eight lay over heavy upon all the like foundations and laid their lofty tops at his own feet In this City also was buried another Crouch-back viz. Richard the third in the Church of the Gray-Friers but now nothing remains of his Monument but only the stone chest wherein he was laid a drinking Trough now for horses in a common Inne This place hath given the Titles of honour to many Honourable Families year 1057 1057. 1. Algar the Saxon. year 1103 1103. 2. Edwin died 1071. 3. Robert de Bellamonte Gules a cinquefoyle Ermine 4. Robert de Bellamont 5. Robert de Bellamont L. Steward 6. Robert de Bellamont L. high Steward 7. Simon de Montfort married Amicia sister and coheir to the last Earl Robert L. high Steward 8. Simon de Montfort L. high Steward Gules a Lion rampant his tail double forked salteir wise Argent 9. Edmond Earl of Lancaster L. high Steward 10. Tho. Earl of Lancaster L. high Steward 11. Hen. D. of Lancaster L. high Steward 12. Henry D. of Lancaster L. high Steward England a Label of 5. points Ermine 13. William of Bavaria Earl of Heinalt married the Lady Maud of Lancaster Bendis losengè Argent and Azure 14. John of Gaunt D. of Lancaster L. high steward Henry D. of Lancaster Lord high steward Quarterly France and England a Label of 3. points Ermine Robert Dudleigh Lord Denbigh c. Or a Lyon rampant his tail double forked Vert. Robert Sidney Viscount Lisle descended of a sister of the said Robert Robert Sidney Earl of Leicester Or a Phaon Azure CORDEILLA THis Heroine Lady after just revenge taken upon her two sisters husbands and her fathers and husbands death by the consent of most Writers by the joynt suffrages and votes of the Brittains was admitted to the Royal Scepter in the year from the worlds creation four thousand three hundred and ninety eight years she governed her people and subjects for the space of five years with great applause and general liking but the two sons of her sisters Morgan of Albania and Cunedagius of Cambria and Cornwal envying her prosperity and thinking themselves injured in their birth-right their grandfather Leir having divided the kingdom equally betwixt their Mothers upon their Marriages conspire together and mustering their forces invade Cordeilla and reduce her to that necessity that she is taken prisoner and by her merciless Nephews cast into Gaol which she patiently a while endured but perceiving no hopes to regain her freedom or repossess her kingdom scorning to be any longer a slave to her insulting enemies seeing she could not free her body from bondage with true Trojan and masculine Heroick Spirit she makes a divorce between her purer soul and encaged carcass giving it free power to pass into another world leaving those parts which participated of drossie mold to be interred again in the earth from whence at first it came at Leicester in the Temple of Janus by the Sepulchre of her father Cunedagius and Morgan THe obstacle which hindered the designs of these two aspiring Princes Cordeilla the gallant Brittish Amazon and Virago being by violent death perpetrated by her own hand taken out of the way divide the kingdom betwixt them and became both kings in the year of the world four thousand four hundred and three but this gallantry lasted not long for the Court-Gnats whose life is a perpetual buzzing of news and flatteries fall upon the ear of Morgan and so fill his head with projects that he highly conceives he is injured by the equal dividing of the kingdom and thus discourses with himself And am not I the son of Gonorilla and she the eldest daughter of my Grand-father to me then as lawfull Heir Brittains Crown belongs Why then do I admit a corrival competitor and co-equal one firmament admits not two Suns nor one kingdom two kings no reason I should lose my birth-right no I am resolved I will not Cunedagius shall know that Morgan can rule the Brittains without his help this fire once kindled his flattering parasites bring fewel enough to augment it Cunedagius must bear rule no longer a private life or none at all must content him it is no small policy for Princes to have Spies in neighbouring Courts Cunedagius is quickly enformed of all the passages of his Cozen Morgan and thinks there is no security in delays and therefore puts himself into a posture as well to offend as defend yet to make his case the better and to ingratiate himself with the subjects he sends Messengers to Morgan who is already firing and destroying his Territories to Treat of a reconciliation and atonement but Morgan puft up with his imagined good success and thinking the offer of his kinsman to proceed either from fear or want of ability to resist him lends a deaf ear to the Treaty of peace and will have no other Arbitrator but the sword Cunedagius now resolved comes into the field and offers battell to his enemy his cause being just the Celestial powers seem to second his attempts and he who would have all or nothing is put to flight where the Conqueror makes use of his advantage and taking occasion by the foretop to prevent all hopes of recruiting and rallying again so hotly pursues his victory that Morgan is chased from place to place from Province to Province till being beaten into Cambria now Wales a Territory belonging to his Mortal Foe and there being most sharply put to it lost his life yet with this honour that that Country ever since from him hath had the appellation of Glanmorgan which is as much as to say in the vulgar tongue Morgans Land and thus after two years joyntlie reigning with his kinsman Morgan departed this life leaving Cunedagius to rule alone Cunedagius to shew an humble thankfulness to his Gods for so great a Victory having fully setled his Kingdom erects a stately Temple to Mars at Perth which is now St. Johns town in Albania now abusively called Scotland then a part of Brittannia and inhabited by the Brittish Nation We finde saith my Author in several Authors and Antiquaries to speak in their words that 800. years before the coming of Christ Cunedagius King of all Brittain Mr. Broughton fol. 336. 6. builded a Temple of Mars at Perth that is now St. Johns town in Scotland and placed there a Flamen Therefore we may not singularly deny unto this old city a Flamens Seat which Antiquaries generally grant unto all such in this time to have been changed into a Bishops See If any one ask what I have to do with Scotland my Scene being only the Brittish History I answer that to the great glory of the Brittains that which is now called Scotland was formerly
Gildas saith of them that they stood out in the Army of Christ with greatest magnanimity Giral sup Itin. com l. 1. c. 5. Summa magnanimitate in acie Christi praestantes dico Giraldus Cambrensis is witness that amongst the Martyrs of that time they were the chiefest next to St. Alban and St. Amphibalus Post Albanum Amphibalum praecipui martyrio coronati Julius Aron How they were honoured of the holy Catholick Christians of that time with Churches dedicated to them Pilgrimages to the places of their Martyrdom and they both there and in other places honoured invocated and prayed unto presently upon the ceasing of the Persecution Now it will suffice to conclude with that their title of glory and renown which the ancient and learned Bishop of their Nation before hath given them and the due and honour to the place of their triumphant death Jacent hic duo nobilis Brittanniae Majoris Protomartyres ibidem Martyrio coronati Julius Aron Here lie at Caerlegion the two Noble Protomartyrs of great Brittain Julius and Aron and there crowned with Martyrdom This title to be the first Martyrs of Brittain in the most terrible persecution and with such exceeding magnanimity and Christian constancy as hath been related in induring torments till then never heard of without any example going before them but giving themselves the first example hereof so wonderfull patience love of Christ and Heroical true fortitude to so many thousands which by their singular example with invincible courage imitated them therein is the greatest honour we can yeild to such blessed Saints on earth their Festivity is celebrated by the old Roman Martyrologie upon the first day of July Baronius in Indice non Sanct. in Julie Arone On which day as Baronius plainly writeth many others suffered Martyrdom with them Julius Aron Martyres cum aliis plurimis in Brittania sub Dioclesiano primo die Julii So likewise affirmeth the English Writer and the Roman Martyrologe which Baronius glosseth upon may very well carry that construction for setting down for a certain truth that these two holy Martyrs were put to death in Brittany upon the first day of July Primo die Julii in Brittannia Sanctorum Martyrum Julii Aron qui in persecutione Dioclesiani passi sunt it presently addeth quo tempore ibidem quam plurimi diversis cruciatibus torti saevissime lacerati ad supernae civitatis gaudia consummato agone pervenerunt At the same time in the same place very many tortured with divers torments and most cruelly torn having ended their combats came to the joys of heaven And St. Bede saith that ea tempestate at that time when St. Julius and St. Aron were martyred divers others both men and women were put to death Alii utriusque sexus passi sunt ea tempestate So hath Henry of Huntington Passi sunt eo tempore Julius Aron alii quoque plures utriusque sexus And we cannot probably think that these raging Persecutors who in places where there were not in any degree so many Christians as in this renowned City an Archiepiscopal See and Christian University put them to death by thousands sent these here by cruel Martyrdom to heaven alone These holy Martyrs by all Antiquities suffered Martyrdom at Caerlegion and both Giraldus Cambrensis and Ranulphus Higeden writing at Winchester As also our late Antiquaries of the same Country plainly say it was at Caerlegion in Monmouthshire which was the Archiepiscopal City and School distinguishing it from Winchester by some called Caerlegion also I will only cite one Englished to my hand by a Modern In this Region Monmouthshire is seated the most ancient and most noble City of Legions which our Countrymen call Caerleon on Usk that is to say the City of Legions upon Usk for difference sake between it and the other which is built in Northwales upon the River Dee of which Giraldus writeth thus The same was a Noble and ancient Town the tokens whereof remain as yet an huge Palace a Giant like Tower goodly Baths and Hot-houses Reliques of Churches and places like Theaters compassed with beautifull walls partly yet standing also buildings under the ground Conducts secret passages and Vaults under the Earth framed with wondeâ—full Workmanship There lyeth Julius and Aron which had Churches dedicated unto them Vna Julii Martyris altera Araonis In the Church of St. Julius which is now called St. Julians and is distant from the now Caerleon a mile seated fast by the River of Vsk which runneth through the Town belonging to the Right Honourable Edward Lord Herbert of Cherbury and Castle Issand a most stately house in this Church formerly Virgineo choro de corata was a Nunnery for in this Town were two famous Monasteries one of Monks or Canon Regulars the other of Nuns M. Broug fol. 603. 9. Matth. Westm an 541. dedicated to St. Julius in which Queen Guenhumara wife to King Arthur did after receive the habit of Religion Guenhumara Regina in Monasterio Julii Martyris inter Moniales habitum Religionis suscepit Not far from Caerlegion is a place called St. Albans standing on the ascent of a hill at the bottom whereof runneth the River of Vsk where by an old Tradition the Inhabitants believe St. Alban was put to death and will not be perswaded out of their errour by any reason wherefore to convince that mistake Mr. Br. 443 though the circumstances of the place be something alike where St. Alban was put to death for St. Bede writeth that the people who came to behold his Martyrdom were so many that being to passe over the River by a Bridge if St. Alban had not so miraculously dryed up the River they could hardly have gone over by the Bridge before night Ita fluminis occupabat pontem ut intra vesperam transire vix posset There was scarcely any left in the City Cunctis pene egressis a great multitude of both Sexes divers Estates and Ages came thither by instinct Vtriusque sexus conditionis diversae aetatis quae sine dubio divinitatis instinctu ad obsequium beatissimi confessoris ac Martyris vocabantur Therefore so many of divers conditions being thus called by the inspiration of God to such an holy purpose we cannot but think many of them were there converted at that time St. Bede setetth this to be done at St. Albans death before the great miracle of Angels appearing and praising of God and honouring St. Alban the night following at his place of burial and so soon as this miracle appeared the Pagans presently came thither in great numbers to hear and see it publikely professing that those Miracles were wrought by the power of Christ the Sonne of GOD and so being converted unto him a thousand of them at one time took their Journey to seek Saint Amphibalus in those parts which we now call Wales so far distant from Verulamium now St. Albans in England where by the help
This is one of the chiefest things that they labour most to beat into mens minds that their Souls die not but do after death pass from one to another and hereby they think men should be most stirred unto vertue when fear of death is nothing regarded Also they dispute many other things as of the stars of their movings of the bignesse of the world and the earth of the nature of things of the strength and power of the immortal Gods and do therein instruct their youth Thus we have heard what those Druids and their Followers were Now let us a little examine their cause by their own Writers and their own proceedings for to write at large of their most grosse and inhumane absurdities would require a Volume from me as the like had done of other Writers against such Pagan Gentils their superstitions whereas all Creatures cry out unto us especially the more noble as the Celestial bodies in searching whose natures and effects these men were most conversant that there is an eternal and omnipotent Maker and Causer which created all things who being without beginning or ending was made or caused by no other Coeli enarrant gloriam Dei opera manuum ejus anunciat firmamentum Mr. Br. f. 244. And divine worship is onely due unto him for his Almighty Excellency and the benefit which man a reasonable Creature received and further expecteth and needeth to receive from him which we commonly call Religion a Releiging Religation or dutiful binding of man informed with a reasonable intellectual and immortal Soul ordained as it were the Lieutenant and Viceroy of God to govern this inferior world and by his better eternal part assured that better and eternal things are ordained for him if he doth not deprive himself of them but find out and perform the Will and Commandment of so infinite good and bountiful a Creator Preserver and Maintainer of all things especially for the use and end of Man so dignified and exalted among his Creatures which these Druids and their Disciples were so far from effecting that they gave him no honour at all never remembring him among those that they worshipped but doing the greatest dishonour they could unto him in giving that glory and majesty which is only proper and due to him to his rebellious Creatures and professed Enemies damned and infernal souls hundreds of thousands before them and divers of these by probable Historical accounts of later Time and Creation then the Author of their own Sect Druius was And if we will follow Julius Cesar who of all writeth most of their pretended Religion living in the time of their chiefest Sway and best knew what they professed he writeth of the Germans that they differed much from the French and their Druids in their Religion having no sacrifices and only accounting for their gods whom they see and by whom they are manifestly helped as the Sun the Moon and such visible things and heard not of any God Germani multum à Gallorum consuetudine differunt Neque sacrificiis student deorum numero eos solos ducunt quos ceruunt quorum aperte opibus juvantur Solem Vulcanum Lunam yet the German Writers are so confident that the Druids ruled there in Religion that they shew unto this day in Germany as far as Bavaria two especiall places where they were wont to assemble under great Oaks to exercise their superstitions and in detestation thereof two Monasteries called Oberaltaich and Nederaltaich were founded to blot out their Memory Pont. de viris Illust Ger. part 1. p. 40 41. In Bavaria quoque inferiore sub quercu magna superiore inferiore suam superstitionem exercebant quae loca postea in Monasteria conversa etiamnum Oberaltaich Neberaltaich appellantur Therefore these could not be Professors and Teachers of the true God his Worship and Religion which for divers People and Countries and for themselves also had such variety and change of gods and Religion in divers times and places and yet all of them professing most grosse and stupid ignorance or woeful Idolatry the greatest irreligion that can be And as they thus proved themselves to be Atheists leaving no possible true God to be worshipped so by their error of transmigration of souls from one body to another they fell into one of these absurdities that one soul should in the end inform many even hundreds of bodies or else cease at the last to inform cease to be and made mortal And as Chimerical a fiction it was of them to say as Lucan expoundeth them that when a soul left a body in this world it went into another world and there informed another body Vobis Autoribus umbrae Non tacitas Erebi sedes Ditisque profundi Pallida Regna petunt Regit idem spiritus artus Orbe alio longe For so they must needs make more worlds where generation and corruption is besides this terrestrial and sublunary where we inhabit and therefore justly doth the same Author call their profession barbarous Rites a false manner of worship and singular against all the world besides Et vos barbaricos ritus moremque sinistrum Sacrorum Druidae positis repetistis ab armis Solis nosse Deos Coeli sydera vobis Aut solis nescire datum St. Gildas tells us that the monstrous Idols in Brittain were not inferior in number to those of Egypt commonly esteemed the most idolatrous Nation of the world and some of them with deformed lineaments remained to be seen in his time and the people of Brittain gave divine honour even to Mountains Hills and Rivers And yet besides these had Errors and Idolatries common with other Nations Non omittentes priscos communesque cum omnibus gentibus errores quibus ante adventum Christi in carne omne genus humanum obligabatur obstrictum nec enumerans patria portenta ipsa Diabolica pene numero Egyptiaca vincentia Gildas li. de Exid. Britt quorum nonnulla lineamentis adhuc deformibus intra vel extra deserta maenia solito more rigantia torvis vultibus intuemur neque nominatim inclamitant montes ipsos aut colles aut fluvios olim exitiales nunc vero humanis usibus utiles quibus divinus honor à coeco tunc populo cumulabatur The same have other later Writers and the sacrifices which they offered to those abominable idols were the most detestable and for such not unworthily ranked by the Pagan and Christian Writers amongst the most cruel and barbarous savages of the world Pro victimis homines immolant administrisque ad ea sacrificia Druidibus utuntur Publicéque ejusdem generis habent instituta sacrificia They offer men for Sacrifices Caesar lib. 6. belli Gallic and the Druids be the Ministers of such sacrifices and such sacrifices be instituted by publick Authority among them thus hath Caesar and others Cicero speaking of these Druids saith His quicquam Sanctum ac Religiosum videri potest qui etiamsi quando
Author that he both was a Christian and Converted by St. Joseph and plainly alledgeth Nennius Authority Thus he writeth Joseph converted this King Arviragus By his Preaching to know the Law divine And baptized him as written hath Nennius The Chronicler in Brittain Tongue full fine And to Christ's Law made him incline The Antiquity of the Crosse for England And gave him then a Shield of silver white A Cross end long overthwart full perfect Thus writeth this Author but without Warrant of any thing I can find for whereas as he citeth Nennius to have written thus in the Brittish Language it is evident by all Antiquities that Nennius which wrote in that Tongue was long before the Birth of Arviragus or St. Joseph and dead 50 years before the Nativity of Christ and was Brother to King Lud and Cassibelin and was named Nennius Helius and he could not write any such thing the other Nennius called Bancharensis as all Authors agree wrote onely in Latine and consequently could not write so in the Brittish Tongue as that Author thinketh or our best modern Authors affirm they find no such thing in any copy of Nennius Codices ii quos consuluisse me Nennii antiquos contigit hnjusce rei parum sunt memores Neither is King Arviragus or St. Joseph named by him The places which he allowed to St. Joseph and his companions were propter munitiones Arundineti fluminis paludis so compassed and invironed with Reeds River and Fens that they builded a poor Oratory themselves of such base Elderwands as that Fenny wildernesse afforded which giveth sufficient testimony how far Arviragus was from being a Christian that had nothing but such abject and outcast things to allow to Christ and his servants when for the maintenance of the Pagan Idolatry which he professed both as the Brittish History Matthew of Westminster Ponticus Virunnius and as well Modern as Ancient are witnesses he was Author of stately and sumptuos buildings and so far from diminishing any honour that was then given to the false gods of the Brittains that he added more unto them namely worshipped the wicked Emperor Claudius whose Bastard-daughter he had taken as wife as god dedicated a costly Temple unto him soon after his death yet after this his acquaintance with S. Joseph for as I find in an old Manuscript-history and others do not dissent the City of Gloucester then Caer Glou Anonymus his Maps in Glocestershire the City of Claudius was built by King Arviragus in the year of Christ 66. This City was first won from the Brittains by Chenlin the first King of the West Saxons about the year of Christ 570. and afterwards under the Mercians it flourished with great honour where Offirick King of Northumberland by the sustenance of Ethelred of Mercia founded a most stately Monastery of Nuns whereof Kinelburgh Eadburgh and Eve Queens of the Mercians were Prioresses successively each after other Edelfled a most renowned Lady Sister to King Edward the Elder in this City built a fair Church wherein her self was interr'd which being overthrown by the Danes was afterwards rebuilt and made the Cathedral of that See dedicated unto the honour of St. Peter in this Church the unfortunate Prince King Ed. 2. under a Monument of Alabaster doth lie who being murdered at Berkley Castle by the cruelty of the French Isabell his wife was there intombed And not far from him an other Prince as unfortunate namely Robert Curthose the eldest Son of William the Conqueror lyeth in a painted wooden Tomb in the midst of the Quire whose eyes were pluckt out in Cardiff Castle where he was kept Prisoner twenty years with all contumelious indignities until through extreme anguish he ended his life and before any of these saith our Brittish Historian the body of Lucius our first Christian King or rather at Caerleon in Monmouthshire was Interred and before his days the Brittain Arviragus This City hath given Honourable Titles to these Dukes and Earls 1 Robert Base Son to K. Hen. 1 Earle Gules three rests Or. 2 William 3 John Sansterre Son to K. Hen. 1 who Married Isabell Daughter and Coheir of Will E. of Gloucester England a bend Azure 4 Geofry de Mandevile E. of Essex 2d Husband of Isabell Quarterly Or and Gules over all an Escurbuncle Pomet and Flory Sable 5 Almerich de Evereux Son of Mabell another Coheir of E. William some put this Almerich before Geofry but erroneously as I conceive Partly perpale endented Arg. and Gules 6 Gilbert de Clare Son of Annice another of the Coheirs 7 Rich. de Clare 8 Gilbert de Clare who Married Joan of Acres Daughter to King Edw. 1. Or 3 Cheverons Gules 9 Ralph de mont Hermen 2 d. Husband of Joan of Acres Or an Eagle displayed Vert membred and leaked Gules 10 Gilbert de Clare Son of Gilbert and Joan. Or three Cheverous Or. 11 Hugh de Audley Married Isabell sister and Coheir of Gilbert Gules Alfret Or. border argent 12 Thomas of Woodstock Duke of Gloucester and Lord Constable Quarterly France and England a border arg 13 Thomas Lord Spencer Grand-son to Elinor Coheir of Gilbert Earl Quarterly the 1. and 4. or 2. and 3. Gules there on a fret Or a bend sable 14 Rich. Plantagenet Brother to K. Edw. 4. Lord Adm. and Constable D. Quarterly France and England a Label of 3 Ermine as many Cantons Gules 15 Humphrey Plantagenet son to King Hen. 4. This Hump. place immediately before Rich. Quarterly France and England a border argent 16 Henry 3d. Son of the late King Charles declared by his Royal Father Duke of Gloucester Anno 1641. but not create And to demonstrate that he both lived and died a Pagan this King Arviragus was and that by his own order buried in that Pagan Temple in the year of our Lord Christ 73. ten years after St. Josephs coming hither Arviragus ut dies suos explevit sepultus est Claudiocestriae in quodam templo quod in honore Claudii dedicaverat ut construxerat And Scut Virunnius further addeth that he did every month offer sacrifice in that Temple after the Pagans manner so much be loved him singulis mensibus sacrificabat tanto eum amore prosequibatur And it is further evident by many Antiquities that Arviragus did many publick acts besides this which Christian Religon could not permit as that after he had been long time Married to Voada sister to Cataracus King of the Scots and had divers Children by her he disinherited the Children put away and imprisoned the Mother and Married Genuisse the supposed Bastard Daughter of Claudius and kept her the other yet living and left the Kingdome to Marius her Son and was so far from repenting this barbarous act contrary to Christian Religion that being challenged for that impiety he wrote a book in defence of this his wickednesse Mr. Bron. fol. 132. affirming therein that it was lawful for him to have plurality of Wives because
hath been whether this Marius was a Christian or not Harding and other witnesse that he was of a Child brought up at Rome with the Emperour Claudius and his Mothers kindred Who nourished was at Rome in his Juventâ— With his Mothers Kin the best of the Empire Harding Chro. in Marius c. 49. fol. 41. With Claudius also that was his own Grandfire And not returning into Brittain untill the death of Arviragus his Father to inherit the Kingdome after him for any thing we read in History and by the common computation of Antiquaries King Arviragus and St. Joseph dying within three years together it is not a thing to be easily believed that Marius did or could learn Christianity of St. Joseph Neither did or could Christian Religion allow Marius a notorious known Bastard to inherit the Kin dom of Brittain as Heir to K. Arviragus he having divers legitimate children by his lawful Wife Voada Daughter of King Caraâ—â—cus Ex qua filium unum duas filias susceperat All which by Christian Religion should have inherited before him and he whether they had been living or dead by that could not claim Title to inherit or possesse the crowne of Brittainas he did And the Scottish Historians who had best reason to keep these things in memory do tell us that he was so far a Roman as by all Antiquities by his Mother and Education he truly was They stile him Marius the Roman Marius nobilis Romanus And he was so far from having any true Title to the Crown by being the bastard son of Arviragus that he was declared King by the Emperors Authority Caesaris autoritate Britonum Rex appellatus and to take all controversie away was forced to marry his own Sister by his Father the eldest Daughter of Arviragus and his lawfull wife Queen Voada Harum natu majorem ut jam Insulae status pacatior foret Matrimonis sibi copulavit which all men know no Christian could doe And yet this was after the great Victory of Marius against the Scots and Picts with their Captain Rodericke which was as Matthew Westminster and others write not above a year before the death of St. Joseph that chancing in the 75. and in the 76. year of Christ In which battel the two Daughters of Queen Voada their brother as it seemeth being dead were taken Prisoners and the oldest the next Heir of Brittain after the matters pacified which was not in any probability before St. Joseph's death was as is said before married to Marius her bastard-brother which Marriage if I may so term it was still continued and by them was begotten in it Coilus after King and Father to our first Christian King Saint Lucius So that if we speak properly and strictly of Christians and name them onely such which actually and really both in Faith and Profession do hold onely the Christian Religion and no other it is evident that none of these three Kings of Brittain Arviragus Marius or Coillus was a Christian much less converted or baptized by St. Joseph But if we speak of Christianity in an ample and extended sense as Tertullian and some Ancients have done of Tiberius Caius and some other Emperors not actually Christians but so affected especially in some points as as he doth of Pilate which washed his hands and said he was innocent of the putting of Christ to death Innocens sum à Sanguine justi bujus I am innocent of the blood of this just person that he was in conscience a Christian pro sua conscientia Christianus We may speak the like of these Kings and go so far with Harding's Author as to say with him Joseph converted this King Arviragus By his preaching to know the Law Divine For it is not unprobable but he was perswaded the Law and Religion which St. Joseph professed was true But whereas Harding addeth And baptized him as written hath Nennius A Chronicler in Brittain Tongue fall fine Except we take Baptizing in a very large and amplifying construction and say Harding a Poet did thereby understand the true knowledge of Baptisme and not the receiving thereof neither Nennius nor any approved Author doth or can prove any such thing By this also we are sufficiently assured that neither St. Joseph of Arimathea nor any of his company though otherwise most Holy and most Renowned Saints and excellently deserving of this Nation none of them converting either the King Nobles or People of Brittany as so many worthy Authors and Antiquaries have told us may be named the Apostles which converted this Kingdome to the Faith of Christ Mr. Bro. f. 166. or first founded Christian Religion here Marius King of Brittain by the opinion of all was both a Friend and Benefactor unto Christians confirming unto the Eremits of Avalon St. Joseph and his Associats those donations liberties and immunities which his Father Arviragus had formerly granted unto them and the Emperour Vespasian was so friendly and favourable unto holy Christians that when he was in Brittain before he was Emperour as Harding from more ancient Authors hath testifyed he procured those immunities and exemptions for S. Joseph and his company which King Arviragus endowed them with and I do not doubt but that he was so far a Christian in judgement that I may recount him in the number of those first Emperours of whom Tertullian writeth Tert. Apol. contr gentil c. 21. The Emperours themselves would have believed in Christ if the Emperours had not been necessary to the woâ—ld or Men that were Christians might have been Emperours Sed ' Caesares credidissent super Christo si aut Caesares non essent saeculo necessarii aut si Christiani potuissent esse Caesares This King Marius as Matth. Westm and divers others do testifie died the 78. year of Christ Math. West ao 78. and left Coillus his Son his Successor in the Kingdome Anno gratiae 78. Marius Brittannorum Rex ab hoc saeculo transiens Coillum Filium habuit successorem by whom he reigned but a short time not above six years Others affirm that he reigned a far longer time the Publisher of the Brittish History ascribe Mr. Bro. f. 169. 52 years Harding avoucheth that he died When he had Reigned sixty years and three His Tribute paid full well to Roman City Hard. in Chron. in Reg. Marius c. 50. fol. 42. Of Christs Faith somewhat he was informed But much more he needed to have been reformed But howsoever the question about his Regiment long or short be resolved certain it is that he was a Friend to Christians and if he Reigned long longer was their peace by his permission Fabian in the life of this King tells us that the Chronicle of England calls him VVestmer and that during his Reign a certain Chieftain whom Gaufride calleth Londricus of the Picts Landing with a great Navy in the Province of Albania now Scotland began to make havock with fire and sword which ungrateful
tidings being brought to Marius he leaveth a considerable Army and marcheth towards his Enemies to give them battle in which Londricus or as others call him Rodicus with a great part of his Army was slain In remembrance of which Victory King Marius caused to be erected a great stone and thereon to be ingraven Marii Victoria or the Victory of Marius but VVilliam of Malmsbury is of opinion that this stone was erected in memory of Marius the Roman Consul the country round about being called Fince that time Westmaria and now VVestmerland and it pleased K. Ri. the second to add unto the Titles of the Nevills of Raby the higher and more eminent stile of EARLS of Westmerland 1 Raph Nevill Lord of Raby Sir Marshall 2 Raph Nevill 3 Raph Nevill 4 Raph Nevill 5 Hen. Nevill 6 Charls Nevill Gules a Salton Argent Francis Fane Eldest son of Mary Lady Dispencer descended from the Nevills Earl of VVestmerland created Earl of VVestmerland 22. Ja. Decemb. 29. Mildmay Fane Earl of VVestmerland Azure 3 left hand Gauntlets Or. The Picts being thus slain and vanquisht those who where left undestroyed with all humble submission requested of King Marius to graunt them a place of habitation who assigned unto them an angle or canton in the remotest parts of Scotland which by some Authors was called Cathenesia which these people the Brittains disdaining to give them their Daughters the Irish contracted their children which in processe of time increased into a great Colony and the Country as affirmeth Policronicon in the 37. Chap. of the first book was first called Ireland Secondly Pictania and lastly Scotland Marius giving way to fate was buried at Caerlile Having in short shewed you the Lives and Deaths of the Brittish Kings and Princes to the death of Marius let ut cast our eyes a while upon the Romans and view the remainder of their proceedings not yet related in this Isle The a The ancient Inhabitants of the Counties of Gloucester and Oxford Boduni then living under the Government of the b The ancient Inhabitants of Buckingham Bedford and Hertford Cattieuchlani betook themselves to the protection of Plautius who leaving Garisons in those parts marched towards a River over which the Brittains supposed that the Romans could not passe without a Bridge and therefore imagined themselves safe having pitched their Camp on the other side of the water But Plautius sent over certaine Germans who being accustomed to swim over Rivers with swift currents even in their Armour found an easie passage to the further bank and there set upon the Brittains wounding the Horses withdrew their Chariots and by that means overthrowing their Riders and disordering their whole power Then was Flavius Vespasian who had the leading of the second Legion and Sabinus his brother appointed to passe over and to charge them on a sudden as they were dispersed if we follow John Harding he will tell us that St. Joseph and his Religious company came hither with Vespasian Lieutenant to the Roman Emperour and that by the intreaty of Vespasian the then King and Queen of the Brittains Arviragus and Gennissa those Favours and Freedoms which by our Histories he enjoyed at Glastenbury were bestowed upon him for thus speaking of Vespasian he saith With whom Joseph full holy and full wise Of Aramathie with his fellowes fourteen Into this Land then came and gave content For whom so then Vespasian pray'd the King The Queen also to him to be good Lord And good Lady which they granted in all thing When Vespasian returned to Rome home again The King indued Joseph in Meatrine Which relation wanteth no probability to make it good for Vespasian came hither out of Germany by which St. Joseph must needs passe in his journey towards Brittain from the Asiatical Gallia and the adjoyning Countries neither was Vespasian an Enemy but a Friend and lover of Christians of whom we shall have occasion to speak more when we come to the time of his being Emperour Some of the Brittains being slain and others taken prisoners the night made an end of the skirmish The next morning the rest of the dispersed rout shewed themselves upon the shore and gave occasions of a new Fight which continued a long time with equall advantage till C. Sydius Geta being in danger to have been taken recovered himself and at the last enforced the Brittains to retire For which service he had afterwards triumphal honors assigned him although he were no Consul in this conflict Vespasian being beset round about with the Brittains was in great danger either to have been slain or taken if he had not been timely rescued by Titus his son who then exercised the office of Tribune of the Souldiers and began in his tender years to give some proof of his valour After this battle the Brittains withdrew themselves to the mouth of the River Thamesis near the place where it falls into the Sea and being skilful in the shallowes and firm grounds passed over in safety when as the Romans that pursued them not knowing the dangerous places were oftentimes in great hazard Some of the Germans that were most forward to adventure by reason of their skill in swimming as soon as they had got to the further shore were compassed about and killed by the Natives and the rest of the Roman Army that followed was much distrested in the passage and sharply assailed at their comming on land where began a bloody fight in the which Togodumius a Brittish Prince one of Cunobelines Sons was slain whose death did nothing abate the courage of the Brittains but rather enflamed them with desire of revenge for the effecting whereof they gathered together new Forces from divers parts of the Isle Plautius fearing the greatnesse of their power and being straightned in a place of disadvantage and danger proceeded no further at that time but fortifying only such Townes as he had already taken advertised Claudius of the doubtful state of his Affairs In the mean time Vespasian was imployed in the other parts of the Isle where fortune seemed to lay the Foundation of that greatnesse unto which he afterwards attained for in short space he fought thirty times with the Brittains overcoming two Warlike Nations and tameing the fierce a The Inhabitants of the Countries of Somerset Wilton and South-Hampton Belga whose Ancestors coming hither out of Gallia Belgica at the first either to take booties or to make war gave the name of their own Country to such places as they had subdued a custome commonly used amongst the Gaules when they seated themselves in any part of this Island Which like fortunate successe Vespasian proceeded in attempting and conquering the Isle Vectis that lyeth on the South side of Brittain when Claudius the Emperour being now furnished of all things necessary for the Brittish expedition set forward with a mighty Army consisting of Horsemen Footmen and Exphanes He marched first to Ostria from hence to Masselia the
Binius when it is evident that St. Claudia our Brittish Lady was the only wife of St. Pudens and Mother to those Saints Therefore to excuse the one from Errour and the other from Contradiction they must hold that both the Mother of St. Claudia and her self also was sometime called Priscilla as she was in Vmbria called Sabinella of her Husbands house at Sabinum there and this may sufficiently be gathered from those Antiquities Baronius citeth in which one St. Priscilla is called Priscilla senior the Elder or old Priscilla to make which justifiable Mr. Bro. f. 60. 8. we must also have Priscilla Junior the younger or young Priscilla and this is usual for distinction sake where the Mother and Daughter Father and Son be of one and the same name to call the Father and Mother by their names with the addition of Old or elder then the Sonne and Daughter with the distinction of young and younger added to them and there be other distinctions between these two The eldest Grandmother to these holy Children as the Roman Martyrology with others testifyeth who died at Rome having imployed her self and her goods to the service of Martyrs where we see her Festivity kept upon the 16. day of February Martyr Rom. 16. Feb. and that she dyed at Rome Of the other the younger if by any called Priscilla we find no such observation nor that she dyed at Rome but quite otherwise that after her husband St. Pudens death she lived so long at his house at Sabinum in Vmbria that she thereupon took her name Sabellina and by all writers died there far from Rome Secondly St. Pastor who lived in the Apostles time and familiarly in that our Brittish house in witnesse even Baronius acknowledging it that the elder St. Priscilla the Grandmother to St. Novatus Timotheus St. Pastor in actis St. Praxedis apud Baron in Anno Mart. Rom. die 16. Jan. Pudentia and Praxedes which were St. Claudia her Children was foundresse of that renowned Church-yard in via Salaria at Rome which bare her name and was founded before St. Claudia was of years to be foundresse thereof And it must needs be this and no other which prepared that most charitable Christian costly work for we find no other Saints of that name especially in that time but only her and St. Priscilla wife to St. Aquila divers times mentioned by St. Paul being a Jew who could not be Author of that foundation at Rome being at Corinth and there saluted by St. Paul in his first Epistle to the Corinthians and was with her Husband Coadjutrice to St. Paul in those parts as the same Apostle testifyeth 1 Cor. c. 16. Neither did she with her Husband stay so long at Rome to effect such a businesse for as St. Luke proveth they came from Rome upon the banishment of the Jews from thence by Claudius Rom. 16. which was soon after their coming thither Acts 18. and they were at or near Ephesus a little before St. Pauls death as he proveth writing in his 2d Epistle then to St. Timothy 2 Tim. 4. Salute Priscilla and Aquila and the old Roman Martyrology with others give evidence they ended their lives in Asia the less upon the 8th day of July when the other St. Priscilla died as before Mart. Rom. 8. July at Rome far from thence the 16. of Jan. And Baronius who was an eye-witnesse of the chargeable work of that foundation found in his time shall prove all the wealth both of this St. Priscilla and her Husband St. Aquila being but Tent-makers as the scripture testifyeth was not able to effect such a work Baronius who had seen and often visited it Baronius Annal Tom. 2. An. 130. The costly and admirable building of a Brittish Lady in Rome Marty Rom. 21 Jul. Act. St. Prax. in Breviario die 2 Jul. St. Pudentianae die 19 Mai. St. Peters first Church and Seat at Rome in the house of a Brittish Lady compareth it to a City for largenesse and streets under the Earth relating that the whole City of Rome was amazed to see it so wonderful and chargeable a work with such streets turnings Churches places for divine service and Conventions Images of Saints and other things of great price as they argue the rich and noble decree of the blessed Foundresse so for a Lady of Brittain a stranger there to be at such excessive charge and expences to provide such a sanctuary for the honour of Christ safety reliefe and comfort both temporal and spiritual of his servants in a Forraign Country must be a perpetual Glory to this Nation and too give further testimony that this our renowned Country-woman was Foundresse thereof we find expresly that divers of her family and posterity namely St. Pudens her son in Law her Grandchildren his Daughters St. Pudentia and St. Praxedes as likely St. Timotheus and Novatus were honourably interred there And yet besides this memorable foundation for the publick good of the Church of Christ these Romans themselves do tell us and the late continued buildings do testifie that there was another such secret Church-yard at her own house to hide protect and bury holy Martyrs in And thus we have found out now at the last the house of our noble Christian Brittains at Rome to have been the first lodging of the great Apostle St. Peter there his first Church and seat the harbour of St. Paul and many of their Disciples and successors Popes of Rome after them the first Seminary Colledge or Mother of Christian Learning there or in the Western world the common and ordinary place of holy Christian Assemblies and Exercises from whence as from the Originall Well and Fountain the water of life did take course and current to diffuse it self unto all parts and Nations of the Occidental world we may make some estimate and apprehension of the wonderful charitable help and assistance this most happy house of our Noble Brittish Christian parents of St. Claudia yielded to the holy work of converting this and all other Western Countries if besides their extraordinary love to their own Nation we do reflect upon that the old Roman Martyrology hath told us of this Priscilla imploying her self and her substance to serve the Saints and servants of Christ That she and her husband were two of the chiefest of the Nobility of the Brittains kept Hostages at Rome for this Kingdome and yet after so many years spent and their Honourable Revenues much exhausted in these pious works in maintaining and relieving distressed Christians by themselves substance and great number of Attendants and servants attending also to those holy ends they left so much to posterity that in the Family of their Grand-child St. Pudentia in the same House there were Ninety six Christian men ordinary Attendants and St. Praxedes her sister being there nineteen holy Christians were Martyred in that House at one time Theat of great Brit. l. 9. c.
the time permits it not and the present occasion requires rather deeds then words yet let not our small number discourage you considering that your Ancestors with a smaller number have undertaken greater matters and that where many Legions have been in the Field a few Souldiers carried away the Victory what a glory shall it be for you then if with so small a power you can purchase the praise of a whole Army there is no fear of Ambush the Woods guard you behind and on the Plain before you lyeth your Enemies Camp wherein you may behold more Women then Men and the Men themselves for the most part unarmed and not likely to endure the points and stroaks of your weapons which they have so often felt to their smart it stands you upon now to approve your selves the same men you are reputed to be This is the time either to recover that is lost or to loose that which ye shall never recover you fight not for honor only but for honor and life Remember that you are Romans whose glory is to doe and suffer great things The fortune of this battle will either give us peaceable possession of that our fore-fathers have won or for ever deprive us of it what shall become of you if you be taken the woful experience of our Countrymen most miserable Massacred before your eyes may sufficiently testifie revenge therefore both their wrongs and your own and no doubt but the gods themselves who never leave cruelty unpunished will assist you It is better for us to dye in this action then by yielding or flying to out-live the pâ—a se of our own worthinesse but whether we live or dye Brittaine shall be ours for if we live and recover it our posterity ever after shall be able to defend it and though they should not yet shall our bones keep continuall possession of it take courage therefore and fear not the loud and vain shouts of a disordered multitude but boldly give the assault and keeping your selves close together pursue the fight without thinking of the spoile till you have made a full end for the victory once gotten all things else will of themselves fall to your share With these or the like words the old Souldiers were pricked forward and Suetonius perceiving it gave the signal to battle the Legions kept the strait a place of defence till the Brittains had spent their Darts and then they sallied out into the plain the Auxiliares and the Horsemen making the way and pressed into the thickest Troopes of the Natives who being unable to endure the fiercenesse of the assault turned their backs thinking to save themselves by flight but by reason of the Waggons placed about the plain had hedged in the passages on all sides Brittish Hist fol. 64. few of them escaped the residue as well Women as Men were put to the sword and their dead bodies mingled with the carcases of their horses and chariots were heaped one upon another The number of the Brittains slain in that battle was reported to be about fourscore thousand and of the Romans about four hundred only and not many more wounded in the conflict this days service was renowned among the Romans as comparable to those of ancient times in the free commonwealth Voadica disdaining to fall in her enemies hands ended her life by poyson and Paenius Posthumus seeing the good successe of the fourteenth and twentieth Legion for that by disobeying the General contrary to the discipline of War he had defrauded his own Legion of their part of the glory in that action for very grief slew himself That Voadica poysoned her self is the opinion of Stowland Howes and Holinshed who yet introduceth Dio Cassius to affirm that she dyed a naturall death and called her Voadica or Bonnica The count Palatine saith Bunduica vero vitam veneno finivit but Ponticus Virunnis relates far other ways of this heroick Brittish Amazon Lady for saith he facto congressu exercitum Romanorum delevit Paulinum crudeliter poena eadem affecit venit in Galliam cuncta superans Italiam properabat delere sed prope Alpes labore bellorum defessu aegrotavit periit mulierum gloria Tunc tantus terror Romam innaserat Italiam quantus nunquam antea neque in adventu Brenni neque Hannibalis neque alterius ducis erat mulier procera flava coma alba usque at crura c. In the first onset she destroyed the Roman Army and most cruelly sent Paulinus the same way after his Souldiers after which she came into Gallia destroying all as she passed making all possible speed to bring Italy also to ruine and destruction but not far from the Alpes being fatigated with the toyle and labour of War she fell sick and so dyed the honour and glory of women she struck such fear and terror not only unto Rome but even unto all Italy that neither Brennis Hannibal or any commander whatsoever had ever done the like Then Suetonius having gathered together his scattered Troops certaine Legionary Souldiers and Cohorts of Auxiliares were sent him out of Germany to re-enforce the Garisons and to make an end of the War so of the Brittains that either openly resisted or else stood doubtfully affected were put to the sword and some that escaped the sword died of Famine for lack of Corn a calamity incident to them as to people given rather to War then to Husbandry the rest found means to relieve themselves by the Romans provisions and though some overtures were now and then made for a Treaty of peace yet the Brittains could not very readily hearken thereunto by reason they much doubted their safety as imagining that their guiltiness of rebellion had excluded them from all hope of pardon and they feared also the private displeasure of the Lieutenant who though otherwise a singular man yet seemed to shew too much haughty and hard dealing towards them that yielded themselves and in some sort under the pretext of the publick service to revenge his own injuries Besides Julius Classianus which was sent to succeed Catus being at variance with Suetonius had given out that a Lieutenant was coming and that he was such a one as being void of malice or the pride of a Conquerour would be ready to receive into favour all such as would yield themselves He wrote Letters also to Rome signifying to the Senate that they should look for no end of the War in Brittain so long as Suetonius continued the government there and that the ill successe which he had in the service was to be attributed to his own ill carriage of himself and the good to the fortune of the Commonwealth Hereupon Nero sent Policletus a Libertine into Brittany to examine and report the state of the Affairs there and to enterpose his Authority as a mean to reconcile the Lieutenant and the Procurator and to win the Brittains to embrace peace At his landing in the I le the Roman Souldiers
was already gone before Then he planted Garisons upon the borders between Blota and Bodotria and disposed of his Footmen and Horsemen in the wintering places within the Province Thus after many Conflicts about the space of one hundred thirty six years from Julius Caesar's first entrance the utmost limits of Brittany and the Isles of the Orcades lying on the North side of it were by the Valour and Industry of Julius Agricola first discovered and made known to the Romans and the South part of the Isle in the fourth year of the Reign of Domitian being in the year of our Redemption 86 reduced into a full Province the Government whereof was particular to the Roman Emperours themselves and not at the disposition of the Senate This state of affairs here Agricola signified by letters without any amplifying terms to Domitian the Successour of Titus his brother in the Empire who after his manner with a chearful countenance and grieved heart received the news being inwardly pricked with anger and disdain to think that his late counterfeit triumph of Germany wherein a shew was made of slaves bought for mony attired like Captives of that Country was had in derision and justly scorned whereas now a true great victory so many thousand of Enemies being slain was currant in every mans mouth besides he esteemed it a most perilous point in a state that a private mans name should be exalted above the name of a Prince and he supposed that he had in vain suppressed the study of Oratory and all other publick Arts if he should in military Glory be excelled by another for matters of other kinds as he supposed might more easily be passed over but to be a good Commander of an Army was to be above a private estate that being a private estate peculiar to a Prince Domitian being tormented with these and the like conceits and musing much in his closet above which was commonly noted as a sign of some mischief in working thought it best for the present to cloak and dissemble his malice till the heat of Agricola's glory and the love of his Souldiers were somewhat abated for as yet Agricola remained in office wherefore he commanded that all the houours of Triumphal Ornaments the image Triumphal and what else was usually bestowed in lieu of triumph should in most ample and honourable terms be awarded him in the Senate and then sending a Successour he caused a brute to spread that the Province of Syria which was then void and specially reserved for men of great quality should be assigned to Agricola the common opinion was that Domitian sending one of his most secret trusty servants unto him sent with all the Commission for the Lieutenancie of Syria with private instructions that if Agoicola at the time of his coming should be still in Brittain then it should be delivered if otherwise it should be kept back and that the same man meeting Agricola as he crossed the Seas without speaking to him or delivering the message returned again unto Domitian whether this were true or fained upon a probable surmise as agreeable to the Princes disposition it could not be directly affirmed But in the mean season Agricola had yielded up the Province in good and peaceable estate unto Neus Trebellius or rather as some Authors report to Salustius Lucullus Agricola least his coming to Rome should have bin noted by reason of the multitude of people which would have gone out to see and meet him did warily cut off the occasion of that curtesie entring the City by night and by night as he was commanded came to the Palace where being admitted to the Princes presence and received with a short salutation and no further speech he sorted himself with other Gentlemen of his rank carrying himself ever after very temperately warily in all his actions as knowing the present state of those times the dangerous inclination of the Emperor himself who being as all other Princes are commonly more fearful and jealous of the good then the bad envyed in him those vertues that honourable reputation whereof himself was not capable yet as good deserts cannot be hide true worthinesse shining even in darknesse it self so the retired life which Agricola led did nothing diminish his glory but rather like water sprinkled on a burning fire encreased and continued the heat thereof Divers times was he accused in his absence which ministred to his ill-willers opportunity of working his disgrace and as often in absence was he acquitted the opinion only of his good deserts and no matter of crime giving occasion while such as highly commended him to the Emperor seeming his friends but indeed being the most pestilent kind of Enemies procured underhand his peril and ruine in the end Howbeit the ill successe of the Roman Armies in divers Provinces at that time serving as a foil to set out his Honourable Actions drew him perforce into glory and Domitian made pretences of his purpose to employ him thinking thereby to satisfie the people who then complained of the want of good Leaders But vertue that never continueth long time in prosperous Estate as being the common object of envy hastned the death of Agricola who as the constant fame went was made away by poison and that not without the Emperors knowledge and consent These things concerning Agricola's Government in Brittain I have set down particularly as they are reported by Cornelius Tacitus who writ the Story of his life which remaineth to the World as a perpetual Monument of the Doings of the one and the Writings of the other Salustius Lucullus succeeding Agricola left little Memory of himself by doing any thing here either for that no occasion was then offered to shew himself in action or else for that the Fame of so worthy a Predecessor blemished his Reputation for having held the Office but a short time he was by commandment of Domitian put to death for suffering certain Spears of a new fashion to be called by his own name About this time Arviragus a Brittain by birth and education did Govern as King part of the Isle of Brittain the Romans accounting it a point of policy to permit the Brittains sometimes to be ruled by Princes of their own Nation whose Aid and Counsel they might use upon occasions to the pacifying of Rebellion and the establishing of their own greatnesse For the common people whose affection doth oftentimes sway the Fortunes of Princes are much more easily brought under the Obedience of their own Countrymen then of Strangers The Succession of the Roman Emperors from Nerva Cocceius unto Honorius in whose time the Romans gave over the Government of the Isle of Brittain 13 NErva Cocceius reigned one year and four Months 14 Vlpius Trajanus a Spaniard 19 years and 6 months 15 Ælius Adrianus 20 years 16 Antoninus Pius 23 years 17 M. Aurel. Antoninus Philosophus 19 years L. Verus his Colleague in the Empire 18 Aurel Comodus the son of
' Imperator victoriam suam gaudenter attribuit And this I take to be the chiefest occasion of the mistakings in some Historians or their Scribes setting down so many and several times when King Lucius received the Christian Faith or professed it many saying it was in the year of Christ 156. Others in the year 164. and others 185 as William of Malmesbury and others Henry of Hartford 169. and others in other and later times That such was the state of Brittany for spiritual Affairs in this Idolatry and superstition daily diminishing and decaying and Christian Religion in all places and persons increasing and multiplying both Authority and the known certain effect it self the surest testimony in such cases shall witnesse And this was the condition thereof until about the beginning of the Papacy of St. Soter or in the end of the first year thereof about the year of our Redemption 175. when as it appeareth by the Edict of Marcus Aurelius Emperor before the strange delivery of him and his Army by the Christians miraculous prayers he suffered many Christians to live in quiet and had a great number of them about him Invenique magnam eorum multitudinem and seeing himself and his Army in distresse sent for them and intreated them to pray for his delivery Eos qui apud nos Christiani dicuntur ac accersivi ac rogavi Which he would not have done being a wise and learned Emperor but that either by the Apology of Athenagoras the Vertues and miracles of many Christians or some other invincible Argument his judgement was then wholly or almost convicted that their Religion was holy and they also and therefore likely to be powerable with God to procure his safety which his own prayers and sacrifices to his Pagan gods were not able to doe ' Deos patrios votis ' susceptis rogavi sed cum ab eis negligerer as himself publickly professed and therefore preferring the prayers of the Christians appealed unto them But after God by the prayers of the Christians which he procured them to make had so miraculously delivered him and his Army consisting but of four Legions not 27 thousand Men environed almost with a thousand thousands of Enemies as the common reading is ' Hostium nonagintorum septuaginta ' septem millia and his people distressed with thirst and hunger not having drunk in five days by sending a most cooling and comforting Rain into the Camp of the distressed Emperor and Hail like fire and lightning among his Enemies confounding and discomfitting them he presently sent out his Imperial Letters and Edict charging the Senate of Rome to confirm them with their Decree wherein wholly ascribing this Delivery of his Army and himself and confusion of his Enemies to the God of the Christians and their prayers unto him wherein he gave free Liberty for any man to be a Christian Concedamus talibus ut sint Christiani And no Man should be molested for being a Christian for Religion censeo neminem quod CHRISTIANVS sit esse in Crimen vel Judicium vocandum And he that should accuse any Christian for Religion should be burned alive and that he that shall professe himself to be a Christian shall be freed from all danger intended against him for that cause and no Governour of any Province shall punish any such for his Religion or deprive him of Liberty Volo eum qui Christianum accusarit vivum exuri illum vero qui se Christianum esse professus fuerit periculo omni quod ob eam rem intendebatur liberatum Is cui provincia commissa est nequaquam ad poenitentiam adigat aut libertatem ei adimat And he willed these things to be confirmed by the Senates decree and this his edict to be proposed in open market place to be read and that the prefect of the City then Vetrasius Pollio should cause it to be sent to all Provinces and no man should be forbidden to write it out Haec autem Senatus consulto etiam sanciri volo atque hoc meum edictum in foro Divi Trajani proponi ut legi possit curae autem erit Vetrasio Pollioni praefecto urbis ut ad omnes provincias haec constitutio mittatur neque quisquam qui eam exscribere vel ipse uti voluerit prohibeatur This was sent to the whole Senate of Rome Senatui Populoque Romano and by the Emperours publick charge and command as into other Provinces so likewise sent into Brittany for the priviledge of all Christians there by the Emperours publick Officer in such Affairs the Ruler of the Ctiy of Rome ad omnes Provincias haec constituo mittatur Any man that would might freely be a Christian and no man under pain of cruel death to burnt be alive might call any into question for that cause And to give greater testimony of those things in Brittain and see this Imperial edict for the freedom of Christians here take place and effect whereas our English Antiquaries and others tells us Floren. Wigorn. Chronic. anno 159. 181. that Trebellius and Pertinax the Roman Lieutenants here about this time were Christians our Countryman Florentius VVigorniensis plainly affirmeth that Pertinax was a chief Commander in the Emperours Army when this miraculous victory was by the Christians prayers and this edict written and decreed for their freedome and liberty and probably was then converted to the faith by this miracle and the Emperour himself who in his publick cited edict doth say of Christians that in equity he must think them now to be defended by God whom before he accounted for wicked men and alienated from God must needs be a Christian in Conscience and Judgement and he must needs at the least believe that true God whom he said the Christians did bear in their conscience And in no wise a learned Emperour could or would in Judgement Reason Equity and Conscience make a Law to condemn men to so cruel a death as burning alive which he afflicted upon the accusers of Christians except he knew or probably thought their accusation was unjust and the cause of the accused Lawful Just and Holy COILLVS COILLVS the Son of Marius was after his Fathers decease made King of Brittain in the year of our Lord 125. K. Coillus brought up at Rome saith Holinshed Fabian saith 126. This Coillus or Coill had his youthful education amongst the Romans in the very Imperial City it self who being of a Martial spirit applyed his time to warlike exercises in which he so excelled that he was both admired and beloved by the Romans and to requite their favours and to continue towards him their good affections he payed without any grudging or seeming discontent their accustomed Tribute by which means he spent his dayes in peace and tranquillity he so far excelled in bounty liberality that he drew unto himself the hearts and good wills both of the Nobles and Commons The building of Colchester is ascribed to this King which is the
the dissensions of the Brittains as other Historians do and maketh them of as long continuance only he saith that Severus the Emperor came hither four years after the death of King Lucius to seek to appease things so doth Matthew of Westminster Florentius and others as far as Harding doth This holy King graunted made and signed many writings Charters and Donations for the defence maintainance and preservation of Religion and the chief teachers and professors thereof as to the University of Cambridge the School of Bangor Monastery of Salisbury and such others and to every Archiepiscopal or Episcopal See in Brittain both for the assuring the old revenues and priviledges of the Archflamens and Flamens as others new and more ample which he conferred unto them and such as should sit and succeed them for ever And we find in Antiquities that in the very time of King Lucius besides the Cathedral Churches in Great Cities there were others also builded in them as namely Glocester Worcester Caerleon and others for we read of divers kinds of Churches in them all both Cathedral and others King Lucius was buried at Glocester in the Church of the Chief or first Order The same distinction is given for Winchester which necessarily inferreth other Churches or a Church in either of them of inferiour Order for the word first proveth a second for the Inferiour Churches besides the Cathedral in Caerleon they are remembred in Histories Viz. of St. Julius and St. Aaron so of other Cities not inferiour unto these Glocester being then but a new and no great City we find others as at Abington in Oxfordshire Amsbury in Wiltshire Cambridge Stanford and other places where to have been Christian Churches in that time there is still sufficient testimony left us Mr. Bro. 307. 5. Gal Mon Hist l. 5 c. 1. Math. West an 201. Bulla Honorii an 624. Chart. Regis Cadw an 685. Chart. Reg. Art An. 531. die 7. apud Caium l. 1. de Antiq. Cont. John Harding Chron c. 25. fol. 22. John Ross Hist Manus Jo Caius Apol A ca. Cantib de Antiq l. 1. Will. Harri Dis Bâ—iâ— c. 3. Tâ— of Universitie p. 146. 〈◊〉 H st Bladud Bal. pref in l de scrip Twin l. de Antiq Ox. Ha â—is sup a Ha â—s manu G aston Chron. Bal l. de ser Brit cent 1. in Congello Barnachoren Gal Mor Hist Brit l 1. c. 12. Math. West an 603. Harding Chron. c. 50. f. 42 p. 2. Ma. h. West an 124. Harding Chron. c. 51. f. 43. Hâ—llershed H st of Brit. fol. 57. And to provide as well for the continuall maintainance and repair of the house of God at the first founding and building thereof these ancient Schools or Universities of this Kingdom which all now had received the faith and Religion of Christ and so were to be as Seminaries and Mothers of Christian Divinity and holy learning for preservation and upholding of Gods Church King Lucius endowed with great priviledges and Immunities that they might more quietly and diligently employ themselves to their so profitable and holy studies This his Charter of priviledges to the University of Cambridge the Antiquaries thereof prove by divers Ancient Testimonies The Bull of Pope Honorius 1000. years ago the Charter of King Cadwalladrus and King Arthur long before wherein is contained that he granted to the University of Cambridge as King Lucius with other Kings had done before to be free from all publick Vectigalls and burdens that they might the more freely and quietly attend their studies The like I may affirm of Stanford which from the time of King Bladud untill it was interdicted by St. Gregory for the Pelagian heresie continued an University so of Glamorgan claiming but a little later original Greeklade and Liechlade of such Antiquity Bellisilum now Oxford as it pleadeth Therefore whereas a late writer confidently sayeth there were 600. Students in ancient times and others not so well remembred to all which now converted to the faith of Christ and training up spiritual Soldiers for the defence profession and maintainance thereof we have sufficiently grounds to affirm King Lucius gave the like priviledges as unto Cambridge one and the same reason being for all and yet besides these which he found founded before he himself was founder of others namely Bangor in Wales which long continued in that State untill it was after changed into so great a Monastery that above 2000. Moncks as our Histories testifie abode there A late Author tells us of another University for so he calleth it by the name of Accademia Legionensis the University of Caerlegion which he would to have to be Westchester others rather take it to be Caerlegion upon Vsk in Glamorgan making it a fourth distinct place from the Metropolitan Church and the several Churches of St. Julius wherein were sacred Nuns and St. Aaron of Canon Regulars In the time of Sixtus Bishop of Rome reigned here in Brittain either Coillus or Lucius his son according to the diversity of opinions of several Authors but seeing all Antiquities and Antiquaries confess so many great and renowned things and of such labour and difficulty to have been performed for receiving generally Christian Religion and abandoning the Pagan superstitions in this Kingdom in the time of K. Lucius we must not keep the crown of Brittain from him long after the death of Pope Sixtus Harding who saith his Father Coillus reigned but 13. years will make him King all this Popes time which Matthew of Westminster doth confirm with four years addition at least to the time of his reign in the time of Pope Alexander before And yet he maketh the years of his whole age but 87 from which if we deduct the whole terme between the year 124. when the Monck of Westminster saith Lucius began his reign untill the year 142. or 143. when St. Sixtus was Martyred to prove by all accounts King Lucius reigned in some part of the Papacy of Pope Sixtus we make the time of his reign being very younge at the death of his Father not so many years as some ascribe John Harding saith Lucius King of Brittain reigned 54 years others allow but 53 years Hollenshed in his History of England tells us that Lucius having brought his people to perfect light and understanding of the true God that they needed not to be deceived any longer with the crafty temptations and feigned miracles of wicked spirits he abolished all prophane worshippings of false Gods and converted such Temples as had been dedicated to their service unto the use of the Christian Religion and thus studying only how to advance the glory of almighty God and the knowledg of his word without seeking the vain glory of worldly triumph which is gotten with slaughter of many a guiltless person he left his Kingdom though not enlarged with broader Dominion then he found it yet greatly augmented and enriched with quiet rest good ordinances and that which is more to be esteemed
into the province leaving his son Bassianus to take charge of the army which after the Emperors departure grew carelesse and dissolute wherewith the General seemed nothing displeased either for that he was by his own nature inclined to the worst or else for that he hoped thereby to win the Souldiers favour as a mean for his advancement to the Empire after his fathers death which he had oftentimes attempted by indirect practises most unnaturally to procure In the mean while the Calidonians notwithstanding the late contract understanding what disorders were in that Roman camp suddainly invaded it killing and taking booty which they shared with their Neighbours borderers of the province that had assisted them in in the enterprise Severus being greatly incensed therewith sent part of his army to pursue the Calidonians expresly commanding that they should be all put to the sword without respect of age or fex This sharp manner of proceeding did somewhat quaile the hope of the Northren Brittains who fled into remote parts of Calidonia and Severus having rather stayed then ended the troubles as intending to prosecute the war with more advantage spent some time in repairing and enlarging Adrians wall which he carried thwart the Island from sea to sea entrenching and fortifiing it with Bulwarks and square Towers in places most convenient to give warning one to another upon any suddain assault for defence of the borders Then being wearied with age sickness and travail York having his mind also much grieved with the disloyal and unnatural practises of his son Bassianus he withdrew himself to Eboracum a Colonie of the Romans being then the station of the sixt Legion called Victrix and afterwards growing to be one of the chief places of account among the Brigantes for these stations of the Roman Legions were commonly the seed plots of towns and cities both in this Isle and divers other parts of the Empire It was reported that in his passage thither a Moor with a Cypress Garland on his head did meat and salute him by the name of a God and at his entrance into the City he was by error of the Southsayer that guided him brought into the Temple of Bellona and that black beasts being appointed for Sacrifice did of themselves follow him to his pallace These things howsoever thew fell out accidentally yet they were interpreted as ominous in respect of the event and now Severus perceiving his death to approach called before him some of his Councellors and chief Captains unto whom he is said to have spoaken in this manner It is now above eighteen years since I was first declared Emperor by the army in Pannonia during which time with what care pain and travail I have weilded this vast body of the Empire my continual employment in wars both at home and abroad may witness sufficiently For at my first entrance I found the State encumbered every where and now I shall leave it peaceable even to the Brittains The future prosperity whereof must depend upon the mutuall agreement of my two Sons For neither multitude of men nor abundance of treasure are so available to defend and maintain Commonwealths as amity and unity between Governors For by concord we see that small things grow to greatness whereas by discord the greatest fall to ruine I must now leave to them my Successors the imperial Diadem that which Bassianus hath so long thirsted after though he know not yet whether it be a thing to be wished or feared as having not proved the difference betwixt a Prince and a private person But ambition mindes are carried blindfold they know not whether in desiring that which having once obtained they can neither keep without great care nor leave without extream peril such a thing is Soveraignty whose greatness is not contained in it self but consisteth for the most part in the opinion and dependeth on the dispositions of other men it is vertue only not glorious titles which makes men truly great My self at this present may serve for an example to shew upon what a weak foundation humane greatness is built I have seen all things though now it avail me nothing seeing I must pay my debt to nature and after all my exploytes in the East and West parts of the World I must dye as I may say out of the World in a strange Country if any Country may be termed strange to the Romans who have now by conquest made all Countries their own I exhort you therefore as you tender the welfare of the Roman Empire of your own selves of your posterity be true and faithfull to my sons as you have been to me assisting them with your Councel and perswading them to mutual concord as the main pillar to support both their Estates and your own When he had uttered these or the like speeches he turned a side and shortly after yielded up the Ghost Baron Tom. 2. Annal. an D. 105 Manusc Gal. lic c. 100. Ma. West an 206. Galf. Mon. Hist 4 Reg. Bâ—it l 5. c 2. R. vit Hist l. 4. Selden Analeâ— c. 7. Gal. Mont sup l. c. 3. Pro. Cata Reg. Brit. in Severa Magdebur Cent. 3 c. 16. Flo Wigorn. 198 220. Mat West an 205 206. Baronius with others confess that Severus was descended of most noble Parents Constat Severum fuisse majorum Claritudine nobilissimum and yet not able to describe his Auncestry doth sufficiently prove him a stranger to those Countries and their Historians and to make further manifestation herein although he was born in Africk about Tropolis so far from Brittain yet he married a Brittish Lady as divers of the same Authors and others testifie and had by her Basianus his Son after King of Brittain and Emperor also some say her name was Martia and the first wife of Severus and sister of Fulgentius the Brittain that warred against and slew Severus at York Fulgentius Matris Basiani Frater And this Brittish Lady could not be married to Severus after his coming into Brittain but long before where he then lived in the East parts of the World For in Brittain he lived but a short time by our Modern calculation in their Catalogue of the Kings of Brittain four years The Magdeburgians have the like account following Eusebius Florentius Wigorniensis maketh his aboad here but three years The Monck of Westminster scarcely alloweth him two years continuance here The like have others all agreeing he was old and feeble at his coming hither yet Bassianus his Son by our Brittish Lady was so old at his death that he succeeded him both in this Kingdom and the Empire who being Emperor but six or seven years was as Dio and others witnesse at his death going on his 29 â—h year of age Almost twenty years old when his Father first landed in Brittain Divin Caracalla The Brittains continuing in variance and contention about a Successor to Lucius King of this Kingdom Severus the Emperor came hither some say to quiet the
may seem by such acclamations against his own Inclination to have given way to persecution And the rather because the Gnostick Hereticks given then over to all filthiness that as Irenaeus Nicephorus and others write they did publickly profess and so practise that all which would come to perfection of their Sect which they onely allowed must commit all wickedness These Heretiques being accounted Christians with the Pagans might sooner provoke the Emperour by such mens informations against the most holy Professors of Christian Religion which were so free from being such as they were falsly reputed with those their enemies to be Athenagoras Orat. pro Christian that as Athenagoras in his Oration for them in the name of the Christians desired no mercy or favour but to be utterly rooted out if those impious slanders could be proved true against them Nicephorus saith Christianity flourished in his time and Tertullian then living affirmeth That Severus also himself father to Antoninus was kind to Christians for he sought for Proculus a Christian who had some time before cured him with Oyl and kept him in his Pallace with him so long as he lived Tertul. li. ad Scap. c. 4. he was exceedingly well known to Antoninus that was nursed by a Christian woman and Severus knowing both renowned women as also most honourable men to be of this profession was so far from doing them any hurt that he commended them and openly resisted even to their faces the raging people Therefore if Severus the Emperour was of his own disposition so great a Lover of Christians in general if he honoured Proculus in his Pallace so long as he lived gave allowance that his son and heir Antoninus Bassianus King of Brittain and Emperour after his father should both be nursed by a Christian woman and be so familiar with such known professed Christians as Proculus was and was the Overseer of Evodus the Tutor or Bringer up of Bassianus his son as may be gathered both by Tertullian Dio and others and both Severus himself so great an honourer both of renowned Christian men and women and his Lady and Empress Martia of Brittain so far affected and disposed to Christian Religion that if she did not profess it in act yet in affection and desire did so honour it that she would not permit her son and heir to be nursed by any but a Christian woman and the Overseer of so great a charge to be a Christian so famous and renowned for Faith as Proculus was known of all men to be These considered I dare not boldly say that Severus did in any time or place of his own inclination wittingly or willingly without great incitation condescend to such persecutions as are remembred in Histories to have been in his Empire And after his coming into Brittain we do not find the least suspition in our Antiquities that he did of himself or suffer any other to persecute any for Christian Religion but rather both of himself and at the instance of his Brittish Empress at the least a Christian in affection and both powerable with him and their son Bassianus his heir and successor and for that love and trust he found in the Brittish Christians of all that part of Brittain South to the Wall and Trench which Adrian and he made joining with him against his enemies to possess him of the Crown of Brittain he was a grateful friend to them and their holy profession And all our Histories are clear that Religion was here in quiet without molestation and affliction until the Empire of Dioclesian that great persecutor yet we cannot deny but all places in Brittain being now full of war-like miseries and the Christians here both in Albania Loegria and Cambria mixed and joined both with Roman and Scythian Infidels many of them fell both to wickedness and Paganism also which occasioned holy Gildas to write that Christianity was received but coldly of the Inhabitants of Brittain and with some continued perfect but not so with others before Dioclesian his persecution And not onely in the time of Dioclesian his persecution following in this age we find even whole Cities and Towns as Verulamium and others wholly destitute of Christians but long before or about this time we are assured that there were very many Brittains not of mean estate but such as were publickly employed about the affairs of the Kingdom sent from hence to Rome about it that either were fallen from Christianity or never forsook their Pagan Religion for we read both in antient Manuscripts and other Authours in the life of St. Mello after Archbishop of Rhoan in Normandy sent thither by St. Stephen Pope not onely that he and his Brittish Companions which were then sent to Rome to pay the tribute of Brittains there were Pagans and Sacrificed in the temple of Mars but it was then the custom of the Brittains coming thither about that Office so to do which to be a custom could not be younger than these dayes time short enough between this and that time to make a custom And it seemeth this custom had been from the first submission of the Brittains to the Romans for both late Writers and others affirm that in Octavius Augustus time Ambassadors came from Brittain to Rome swearing sealty in the temple of Mars offering gifts in the Capitol to the gods of the Romans and we have testimony in our Histories that after the death of King Lucius and this very time which we have now in hand it was the use custom of our Brittains here when any of their Nobility 〈…〉 were to obtain the dignity of Knighthood to send them to Rome to receive that honour there and after such Pagan rights and ceremonies that Christians could not in Conscience so accept thereof And yet such multitudes even in this time flocked thither from hence so to be created Severus of himself was not addicted to a wicked life but much renowned not onely for warlike affairs but also for learning and knowledge in philosophy and so great an enemy to incontinency that he punished adultery by law with death with such severity that Dio writeth that when he was Consul he found by record that 3000 had been put to death for that offence He was after his death made a God among the Pagans and Herodianus saith he died rather of grief for his childrens wickednesse then of sicknesse which grief for the sins of his sons as also of his own in permitting the Christians in many places be to most grievously persecuted I would not deny but that he dyed in any such grief is untrue being most certain that he after so many conquests in other Countries when he came to fight against this Country Christians was enforced dishonourably to make a wall and trench above 130 miles in length to keep his enemies back from invading him and slain in battail by Fulgenius or as others call him Fulgentius brother to his first lawful true wife the
Brook in K. John begotten on Agatha daughter of William Earl Ferrers and Derby 1204. with whom her father gave in marriage the Castle and Lordship of Ellinsmere or Ellesmere in the Marches of Southwales which deed beareth date at Dover 17. April 6. Johannis this Llewellin and Agatha had issue David Prince of Northwales sans issue Roger Lord Mortimer Gladis sister of the whole blood to David Prince of Northwales and his heir Powel fol. 314 Roger L. Mortimer and by right of inheritance Prince of Northwales Maud daughter to William de Bruse L. of Brecon Edmund Lord Mortimer Margaret Fendlesse Roger L. Mortimer created Earl of March by K. Edw. III. Joane daughter and heir to Sir Peter Genivill or Jenevill Edmund Mortimer Earl of March Daughter and co-heir of Bartholomew Badelsmere L. of Leeds in Kent Roger Mortimer restored in blood Earle of March an 29. Edw. III. Philippa daughter of William Montague Earl of Sarum Edmund Mortimer Earl of March Philippa sole daughter and heir of Lyonel D. of Clarence Sir H. Percy Knight son and heir to Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland Eliz. daughter to Edm. Mort. E. of March Philippa heir to Lyonel D. of Clarence Henry Percy Earl of North. Elinor daughter to Ralph Nevil first Earle of Westmerland of that name Henry Percy Earl of North. Elinor D. and h. of Richard Lord Poynings Henry Percy Earl of North. Maud daughter of Will. Herbert E. of Pembroke by which match this honourable family descends from divers Welsh branches as shall appear in the pedegree of the Earle of Pembroke Henry Lord Percy Earl of North. Mary D. to George Lord Talbot E. of Salop. Tho. Lord Percy E. of North. nephew to E. Henry Anne d. to H. Somerset E. of Worcester where again this family descends from the Welsh as in the genealogy of Worcester Sir Henry Percy brother to Earle Thomas Earle of North. Katherine one of the daughters and co-h of J. Nevil L. Latimer which family of the Nevils streams from the Welsh as in the pedegree of Abergavenny Henry Lord Percy Earle of Northumberland Dorothy daughter to Walter Devereux Earle of Essex Algernon Percy Earl of Northumberland Anne d. of Will. Cecil E. of Salisbury by which this right honourable Family to whom God grant a long and prosperous posterity descends from many Brittish progenies as in the pedegrees of Salisbury and Exceter The Earle of SHREVVSBURY John L. Talbot E. of Sbrewsb descended from Gilbert L. Talbot temp H. 3. who married Gwenllian d. to Rees ap Gruffith P. of Southw Maud d. and sole heir to Thomas Nevil L. Furnival which family of Nevil descends from the Welsh as in Abergavenny John L. Talbot E. of Shrewsbury L. Furnival and Verdon Eliz. daughter of James Butler Earle of Ormond By this match of Verdon by which the title of Lord Verdon came appears an other stream of Welsh blood for Theobald Lord Verdon married Maud daughter of Edmund Mortimer descended from Llewellyn Prince of Southwales ut ante in Oxford John Lord Talbot Earle of Salop. Katherine d. to Humphrey D. of Buckingham George Lord Talbot Earle of Shrewsbury Anne d. of William Lord Hastings descended from the Prince of Wales Francis Earle of Shrewsbury Mary d. to Thomas L. Dacres of Gilesland George Earle of Shrewsb Gertrude daughter to Thomas E. of Rutland descended from the Welsh line Gilbert Earl of Shrewsbury Mary daughter of Sir William Cavendish Edward Earle of Shrewsbury Joan daughter and co-h of Cuthbert L. Ogle George Talbot son and heir to Talbot of Grafton Esq heir male of Sir Gilbert Talbot of Grafton Knight Banneret and Knight of the Garter second son to John Lord Talbot second Earle of Shrewsbury of that name was by King James admitted to the Earledom of Shrewsbury but he dying without issue the Earledome fell to the issue of John Talbot Esquire his brother  John Talbot Earle of Shrewsbury Mary daughter to Sir Francis Fortescue Kt. George Lord Talbot daughter of Sir Percy Herbert L. Powis by which match many Welsh branches devolve unto this honourable family THE ANTIENT MODERN BRITTISH AND WELSH HISTORY Beginning with BRUTE and continued until King CHARLES the first The Fourth Book CARAVSIVS a Brittain of unknown birth Matth. West an 286. was of the Brittains made Ruler Anno Dominicae Incarnationis 218. Hollenshed also placeth Carausius next to Bassianus though others name him not Galf. Mon. Hist l. 5. c. 4. Pont. Virun l. 5. Matth. West an 292 293. 294. Harding Chron. c. 56 57. Galf. Mon. lib. 15. Pont. Virun l. 5. Hard. Chron. c 59. Matth. West 302. Cat. Reg. Britt alii Matth. West an 286. Harrison Discr of Brit. Hollenshed Hist of Eng. l 4. c. 23. The learned Mr. Broughton searcheth this business to the quick and therefore to give more life to this History you shall hear what he saith Bassianus being as before murthered Macrinus a Mauritanian or Moriscan by Nation with his son Diadumenus or by some Diadumenianus obtained the Empire but they were both slain by their own Souldiers rebelling against them when they had been Emperours but one year and two moneths after whom Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Heliogabalus or Elagabalus son of Bassianus Caracalla before spoken of was chosen Emperour by the Army his mother was named Soemiades or Semiamira the daughter of Mesa sister of Julia the Empress the second wife of Severus and this Soemiades or Semiamira or Semiamides was sister to that renowned Christian Lady Mamea mother to Alexander the Emperour Henry of Huntington and Florigerus ascribe four compleat years to the Emperour Heliogabalus Martinus alloweth him not fully so long a reign yet Martinus saith with Roman Writers that he was Emperour four years and eight moneths Florentius Wigorniensis hath the like words both for that continuance of his Empire and authority of the Roman History affirming it that he was true and immediate next King of Brittain not onely during the time of his Empire but in that space also when Macrinus and his son Diadumenus were Emperours even from the death of Antoninus Bassianus Caracalla his father the undoubted King of Brittain both by his fathers and mothers title For although Martinus saith that Severinus son of Bassianus was Emperour with his father yet seeing this Authour who so writeth consenteth with all others that Macrinus immediatly succeeded to Bassianus Caracalla and Heliogabalus to Macrinus he must needs too justifie that his Testimony of Severinus being Emperour with his father Matth. West an 213. Otto Frising Chron. l. 3. c. 29. Floren. Wigorn an 204. 226. Marian Aetat 6 an 218. in Cara alla Galf. Mon. Hist Reg. l 5. c. 3. Pont. Vir. l. 5. that this Severinus died with his father or before or was the same son of Bassianus which others do call Heliogabalus Marcus Antoninus and other names which Heliogabalus is stiled by in Histories While these things were acted with the Romans the State of Brittainy was
in them as in Verulam were now onely inhabited by Christians and not a Pagan to be seen and this by the Omnipotent working of God and the Idolatrous Judge and Prince himself that ruled here under the Pagan Romans and persecuted by their power even to the utmost bounds of Brittany was made that he was unable to Rule and Govern any longer but needed be Ruled and Governed himself by others This Judge King and Roman Lieutenant as the Scottish Historians with others call him was King Asclepiodotus thus grievously either of malice or for fear of the Romans then persecuting and for so doing hated of God and Man Coel. King Coel who began his reign in the year of our Lord 262. having now both Warrant and Way to advance the Title to the Crown of this Kingdom and help to free the afflicted Christians thereof from the miseries of their so long and grievous persecution as it seemeth most probable at this time and upon these occasions he took Armes against Asclepiodotus reputed King in this persecution slew him and was crowned King as our Historians deliver unto us Harding also plainly saith that Coel took Armes against Asclepiodotus by reason of this great persecution For which Duke Coel against him rose in Armes Asclepiodotus for the first ten years of his reign was just and ruled with the general applause of all but after fell into wickedness and cruelty so that King Coel might justly pursue his right to Brittain in hope thereby in better manner to redeem the afflictions of his Countrey Christians being more potent and able and likely more willing than Asclepiodotus was not so forward in any Judgements as he should have been in defending innocence if he had not been an actual persecutor which Harding himself thus in these plain terms expresseth Harding Chron. cap. 58 fol. 57. This persecution as some Chronicles fain The ten years war of Asclepiodote For which Duke Coel again him rose full hot The Duke Caer Colun that hight Coilus Which City now this day Colchester hight Then crowned was that slew Asclepiodotus For cause he came not forth with all his might The Tyramite fell to a canstand as he hight Wherefore Brittains were all full glad and fain Of King Coilus that succoured all their pain And howsoever Asclepiodotus concurred with the Roman persecutors and pleased them in vexing and tormenting Christians here in Britany yet otherwise he was very unpleasing unto them He troubled the Roman power in all things and therefore they were glad of his death Ponticus Virunnius himself a Roman saith they did esteem him their great enemy and as for such an one rejoyced at his death and this joy was not onely of particular Romans but of the whole Senate which ruled chiefly in matters of Estate Therefore when our Antiquities assure us that Coel obtained the Kingdom and was crowned and as an old French manuscript speaketh regna sur Britaniae ruleth over Brittain and was thus inabled and made powerful to redresse what he found offensive and wicked being absolute King and joyfully so received of the Brittains as our Historian said before Wherefore Brittains were all full glad and faine Of King Coelus that succoured all their pain And he himself taking acception to Asclepiodotus next to his charging him with usurping the Crown for being to backward in resisting the Roman persecutors would not fall into the like error with him but as is proved already succoured all their pain and utterly ceased the persecution against Christians of Brittain which were thus joyful of his coronation and thereby relieved and redeemed them from their afflictions all his time which both by our own and forreign Historians continued to the end of the third hundred of years Mr. Broughton The Romans having no power here either to persecute Christians or to any other purpose But as our Brittish and other Historians testify wholly lost their government here untill after the death of King Coel or the comming of Constantius his son in law hither the second time very little before King Coel his death Our Scottish Historians say that King Coel utterly destroyed both Romans and all the Brittains also which were their favourers and set forth a severe edict to search forth all Romans and Brittains which had followed them here and caused them to be punished and put to death and so with most joyful and general applause of the people Nobles and others that the crown of Brittain was thus restored to the true heir of their regal blood was crowned King and he established the Kingdom in the Brittish government So that now so severe a law being made and executed both against the prosecuting Romans and all such Brittains as had joyned with them against the Christian inhabitants of this nation and all this done by the authority of our King and with the consent both of the nobility and people we must needs end the persecution here with the beginning of King Coels reign And it would not be singular in this point if we should hold that King Coel was actually a christian and not only a friend to such for first all they which affirm him to have been Kinsman or Heir to our first christian King St. Lucius easily prove him a christian for such a man would not leave either child or kinsman which by him had that title to have any other education Secondly by the time of his age whether he was to King Lucius so near or no we must needs confesse he lived most part of his life when christianity flourished in this Kingdom being an aged man before Dioclesian his persecution began Thirdly our Historians say that his daughter St. Helen which had her education by his direction was instructed and taught in the christian faith A late Authour thus speaketh of this Helena she was first instructed in the faith of Christ by Coel her father as Petrus de Natalibus saith and yet if we encline to this opinion we may easily answer them that will object the public and universal restitution of christian religion as building Churches Monasteries and such holy foundations was not in his time For by the common opinion his reign was short little and not above four years a great part whereof was spent in extirpating the persecutors and the rest in preparation to resist a new invasion of the Romans not reigning in quiet and security from these troubles and fears the space of two moneths by any writers and so after so great and terrible a tempest of persecution it was a wonderful comfort and happiness for the Brittish christians to enter into such a calme and quiet to live in security and rest freed from their former miseries under so renowned a King which was all he could do or they expect in such times and circumstances The Roman Emperours after the death of Heliogabolus until Constantius married first or after received again Helena daughter of Coel had little command in this Kingdom therefore
in their own proceedings and her children in like case of reproach with her Math. West alii supra Manusc Hist Eccles Winton Caius Hist Cantabr Acâ—ademiae p. 19. Therefore Constantius being against his will by power of Maximian separated from St. Helen his true wife and a Christian from that time ever in affection could not but be ever most ready and joyfull to be so quietly and honourably reconciled unto her again which is sufficiently insinuated by our Authors testifying that Constantius in all things granted to King Coel his commands requiring nothing of him for the Romans but their old Tribute which as our Antiquaries say was 1006. pounds only in money one of our Historians saith of this matter in this manner Harding c. 60. Of which Constance was glad of his entent And here aboad at prayer of the King Whereby he did sufficiently declare the great content and joy he had of this reconciliation to his wife St. Helen and her Father his Father in Law King Coel rather chusing and preferring during his life to make his aboad here as a Subject then now being chosen and designed Emperor to continue in any other Nation with that greatest temporal glory and command He retook Helen Daughter of the King to conjugal society Thus he signified this so long and much desired attonement Helenam Coeli Regis filiam in societatem Thori recepit which word RECEPIT that Constantius did at that time receive Helen again if we had no other argument or authority used by divers our ancient Antiquaries proveth that this was the reconciliation and not the first marriage of those noble persons And impossible it is that any of these Authors which speak of this union should take it for the first union in marriage for all of them acknowledge that Constantius died soon after this Reconciliation the Monck of Westminster sayeth within three years by Merianus within two years Math. West an 302. 305. Mari. Sc. anno 305. 306. by Martinus Polonus the same year The like have others by which account and confession Constantine should be either unborn or not above two years old at the most when he was King of Brittain and Emperor also after his Fathers death Shortly after this coming of Constantius and this attonement between him and King Coel thus made King Coel dyed within five weeks saith Harding a moneth and eight dayes saith Galfridus Viruunius saith within one moneth Hard. Chron. c. 6. Galf. Mon. Hist Reg. Brit. l. 5. c. 6. Pont. Virun Hist l. 5. Harding c. 61. Howe 's fol. 44. so likewise doth the Monck of Westminster Harding writeth that Constantius was Emperor before he was King of Brittain But King Constance of Rome was high Christain By the Senate first made the Emperor After King of Brittain and Governour Howe 's in his Chronicle bringeth in Peter de Jeham to was tell us that Coel Duke of Caric Glow of Glocester Holinshed saith he was Earl of Golchester but where he died or where buried no mention is made Fabian sayeth he ruled after the accord of most writers 27. years Constantius Constantius began his Empire with Galerius the Empire was devided between them so that Constantius should possess Affrica Italy France and Brittain Galerius should have Ilyrica Asia and the East parts which done they substituted under them two Caesars Constantius holding himself content with the dignity of Augustus refused to sustain the trouble which he should have endured through the administration of the affairs of Italy and Africk He sought by all means how he might enrich the people of the Empire He abolished the superstition of the Gentiles in his Dominions so that afterwards Brittain felt no persecutions The year following he prepared war against the Picts at which time his Son Constantine who then served under Galerius perceiving his destruction to be contrived posted to his Father in all hast houghing and killing all the Post horses which way so ever he passed Holinshed Hist of Eng. 45. Fab. Sozom. Hist Eccle l. 1. c. 6. Euseb l. 2. de vita Const Mr Bro. fol. 460. and came safely to his Father in Brittain Holinshed saith Constantius was the Daughters Son of one Crispus that was brother to the Emperor Claudius and that he began his reign over the Brittains 289. and so also saith Fabian Constantius was not against the law for Christians in Brittain to profess the Christian Religion in his time but preferred the most constant Christians to highest preferments and greatest trust And so consecrated his whole family to God that his Court was as a Church wherein were both Clergy men and Godly Christians truly serving God This blessing and benefit he brought to our Christians here in Brittain and publickly maintained it even in those times when the name of Christian in other places was so odious that without danger it could not be spoken of which he further Viz. Eusebius confirmeth in another place Euseb Hist Eccle. l. 8. c. 14. where speaking in the name of Christians he saith that among the Emperors of that time only Constantius did neither in any sort persecute Christians nor in any sort participate with them that did but kept all them that were under him without hurt and secure from all trouble neither pulled down Churches Idem apud Baron Spon an 304. or did any thing against them and elsewhere he teacheth again that the parts of the West Empire did generally receive quietness from persecution when Constantius reigned which although Baronius and Spondanus do not so well allow upon Eusebius his words in all places of the West because as they alledge Constantius neither presently could nor would he be against the Edicts of the Emperors still living when he himself remained in Brittain in the end of the World and Italy was then full of wars But Eusebius writteth not this singularly but Sozomen and others testifie as much that when the Churches of God were persecuted in all other parts of the World Sozomen l. 1. c. 6. only Constantius granted liberty of conscience to the Christians under him and again generally of all Christian Churches in the part of his Empire and were not only quiet under him but thus lived in great joy and did encrease being honoured and rewarded by him And relating his experiment to prove constant Christians before remembred and how he admitted such for his nearest friends and Counsellors he gathereth from hence that the Gauls Brittains and others under him were by him exempted from all penall lawes of the persecutors he taking away and making them frustrate in his Dominions And the objections which Baronius maketh do rather prove then disprove the quietness of Christians in this Nation when Constantius was here For first the inquietness of Italy rather helped then hindered our peace our persecution proceeding from thence now not able to persecute us nor take revenge of Constantius for protecting us And his being in Brittain
at his funeral going before his corps with an infinite number of people and Souldiers attending with all honour and pompe some going before others following with most sweet harmony of singing This was the End which God shewed of this Emperours Godly and Religious manners and life evidently to all people then living as Eusebius witnesseth who also then lived and called him most holy Euseb l. 1. de vita Constan c. 16. which he a learned christian Bishop could not give to any but an holy professed Christian in his knowledge or judgement and therefore attributeth so much to Constantius in this kind that he calleth Constantine the great himself whom he so much extolleth for his Christian Religion and advancement thereof a follower of his fathers piety in such affairs Constantine the Great Constantius having thus honourably ended his dayes and declared Constantine his eldest son successor in his Empire his whole Army doth presently with mutual consent and joy proclaim him King and Emperour and all Nations subject to his fathers Empire were filled with incredible joy and unspeakable gladness that they had without intermission so worthy and renowned an Emperour Of the coming of this most noble Brittain to the Empire escaping and preserved from so many dangers and difficulties before Euseb c. 18. so generally and joyfully chosen and accepted and proving after so happy a Ruler Eusebius saith that he was chosen by God himself and that no mortal man could glory of this onely Emperour his advancement for although he was generally and ordinarily chosen and accepted by men yet as the same Authour writeth he was miraculously preserved by God and by his extraordinary protection brought safely from all danger to his father here in Brittain old and ready to die to be invested in the Empire after him And so soon as he was Emperour as the same Authour then living and well known unto and knowing Constantine Euseb l. 1. vit Const c. 12. testifieth and so declared by the Armies as the custom was being chosen of God long before to that end insisted in his fathers steps in favouring and advancing Christian Religion Euseb Hist l. 8. c. 14. So that in this part of the world as Brittain and France where Constantine succeeded his father and now reigned there was no persecution used against Christians but all favour and indulgence towards them and that assertion of divers Historians both of this and other Nations which affirmeth that the persecution begun by Dioclesian and Maximian did continue after their forsaking the Empire Euseb in Chron. Flo. Wigorn. in Chron. Mar. Sco. Aetat 6. l. 2. in Const and until the seventh year of the reign of Constantine is to be understood of those parts which until about that time were not under the Rule of Constantine but of Galerius Severus and Maxentius persecutors and so Florentius Marianus and others expounded it and it can have no other construction to be true for evident it is in Histories that not onely from the beginning of the reign of Constantine but in his fathers time all Christians under their Government were free from persecution And so soon as Constantine had conquered Maxentius and was sole and absolute Emperour all Christians in the world under him were delivered from persecution and set at liberty even publickly to profess their Religion And from his first entrance into the Empire and to be King of Brittain the Christians here in this Nation did not onely enjoy Religion but as in the time of his father made and freely had publick exercise and profession thereof as our old Churches re-edified new builded and erected Bishops Priests and all Clergy and religious men restored to their former Quiet Revenues Honours and Dignities witness Of this we have divers Testimonies and Examples in particular yet left unto us as out of the old Annals of Winchester where we find of that old Church builded in the time of King Lucius and destroyed in the late persecution The Church of Winchester builded in the time of King Lucius and hallowed and dedicated October the twenty and ninth Annals Eccle. Winton one hundred eighty nine by Faganus and Damianus Bishops amongst the rest at this time of Dioclesian went to wrack the building thereof being ruined Godwin Catal. of Bish Winch. In initio and made even with the ground and the Moncks and all the Officers belonging unto it either slain or enforced to flye for the present time In the year three hundred and nine the Church aforesaid was again re-edified and that with such wonderful forwardnesse and zeal as within one year and thirty dayes both it and all the edifices belonging unto it as chambers and other buildings for Moncks and Officers were quite finished in very seemly and convenient manner The fifteenth day of March following it was again hallowed and Dedicated unto the honour and memory of St. Amphibalus that had suffered death for Christ in the late persecution by Constans Bishop of Winchester at the request of Diodatus Abbot of this New erected Monastery It is evident by this relation that this holy work so publick with freedom and zeal was quite finished in the time of Constantine his being here before he went hence against Maxentius And yet we see both Bishop Priest and Abbot and religious men publickly and honourably restored to their former condition The Church with unspeakable devotion builded and dedicated to the holy Saint and Martyr who in the late persecution was most hated by the enemies of Christ So I say of the Church of St. Alban a Church of wonderfull workmanship Bede Eccl. Hist l. 1. c. 7. Math. West Anno. 313. and worthy of his Martyrdoni was builded so soon as the Christians were here at quiet Matthew of Westminster hath the same words and explaineth this time of the quiet of Christians here when this Church was so sumptuously builded to have been ten years after his Martyrdome the perfect finishing whereof he setteth down to have been the same year in which Constantine went from hence towards Rome against Maxentius which was by him in the sixt year of Constantine and before the general occasion of persecution in other places Constantine not being absolute and sole Emperor untill his victory against Maxentius nor the general quiet then ensuing Both St. Bede and the Monck of Westminster write that in their several times often curing of Infirmities and other miracles were wrought there The old Churches of St. Julius and Aaron The foundation of Lhanturnanus and St. Julians Church in Caerleon Martyred in the late persecution in the City of Caerlegion derive their ancient foundation from this time so do many others founded in honour of several Martyrs then cruelly put to death for the name of Christ so I affirm of all the Cathedral Churches Archiepiscopal and Episcopal with their particular Sees and Cities founded in the time of King Lucius and destroyed in the time of the
an Officer entituled by him with a limitation of place and restriction of that power which the ancient Praefectus Praetorio had under the first Emperors Then Constantine intending to make war in Persia either to defend or enlarge the limits of the East Empire removed the Emperial Seat from Rome to the City of Bizantium which he re-edified and caused the same to be called of his own Name Constantinople drawing thither the Legions in Germany that guarded the Fronteers of the Western Empire which was thereby laid open to the Incursions of those barbarous People that afterwards assayed it and in the end possessed the greatest part thereof The borders also of the Province in Brittain were weakened by removing the Garrisons there into other Cities and Towns which being pestered with Soldiers for the most part unruly Guests were abandoned by the ancient Inhabitants There be Authors that write Hollin Hist of Engl. f. 92. that Constantine conveyed over Sea with him a great Army of Brittains by whose Industry obtaining Victory as he wished he placed a great number of such as were discharged out of pay and licensed to give over the War in a part of Gallia toward the West Sea coast where their posterity remain unto this day and marvellously encreased afterwards somewhat now differing from our Brittains the Welshmen in manners and language Among those Noblemen which he took with him when he departed out of this Land as our Writers do testifie were the three Uncles of his Mother Helen Hoelus Trabernus and Marius whom he made Senators in Rome After the wars betwixt Constantine and the Persians Mr. Br. fol. 532. the King of Persia sent Embassadors unto Constantine to procure peace and he writ back unto King Sapores that the Christians in his Dominions which were there in great numbers might live at liberty and freedom for their Religion And if we may believe Eusebius then living Euseb lib. 4. Sozom. lib. 2. Hist cap. 14. and best knowing the affairs and proceedings of this most noble Emperor after all these things were compassed and brought to an end he began that glorious and renowned work and Foundation of the most sumptuous Church of the twelve Apostles in Constantinople where it is evident by this then living Author and witness that he did not begin to build this Church till long after his triennial Feast And yet the glory and stateliness of that work as it is described by the same Writer was such that it could not be effected and finished under many years and yet that it was finished before his death it is certain for he there erected a Tomb for his own body to be buried in and there was interred There he erected saith Eusebius twelve Monuments to the honour and memory of the twelve Apostles and in the midst between them he placed his own Tomb with six Apostles encompassed on either side surely as I have said before considering with discreet Councel Euseb ut sup that the Tabernacle of his dead body should worthily and decently rest there when he had considered these things long time before he dedicated the Church to the Apostles thinking that their memory would bring much profit to his soul And both Baronius and Spondanus confess that Constantine did not begin this great and wonderfull work until the 336. Baronius Spond Annal. in ann 336. year of Christ and after his concluding peace with the Persians had not before so much as resolved it Therefore this Church being so costly and magnificent as these men confess and Eusebius at large proveth and yet Constantius lived to see it roofed and quite finished he must needs live a longer time than until the next year the 337. of Christ which they limit unto him to live and much more longer than Socrates their Author continueth his life for by his reckoning setting down his death the same year wherein the Persian Embassadors came to him for peace we must be forced to say this admirable Church was quite finished in the space of seven weeks or if we should adventure as Baronius doth to make Socrates our Author and yet add unto his account a whole year as he doth it must needs be yielded unto by such calculation that it was not begun or any materials prepared for it and yet quite finished within the space of one year and seven weeks for as before it was not begun at the Feast of Easter and yet ended the same year by Socrates before the Feast of Pentecost when by Eusebius Constantine died and by Socrates about the eleventh of the Calends of June the 22. day of May and by Baronius before the Feast of Pentecost and the 22. day of May the year following which is morally impossibly to be true for besides the amplitude thereof and Ornaments therein Euseb lib. 4. de Vit. Const c. 64. Socr. l. 1. c. ult Eusebius who had seen it and knew the building of it saith that Constantine erected it to an infinite altitude and made it from the ground with all variety of Stones even to the top the Roof was curiously wrought and within covered with Gold throughout and covered above with Brasse and much Gold And therefore Nicephorus also a Greek Author who had diligently examined Socrates and citeth his very words of this matter before related affirmeth plainly and constantly notwithstanding that opinion that Constantine did not die until the 342. year of Christ in the Feast of Pentecost Euseb lib. 4. de vit Const c. 64. Cap. 66. sup towards the end of it about noon time of the day to speak in Eusebius his words this Emperor was received to his God leaving his mortal part like to other mortal men to the earth but joyning his Intelligence and Divine part of his Soul unto God He dying in Bethinia his Soldiers enclosing his Body in a Golden Coffin covered it all over with Purple and conveyed it to Constantinople and placed it in the Emperial Palace adorned with Emperial Robes Purple and a Diadem Lights set upon Golden Candlesticks round about it which gave such an admirable shew unto the Beholders as was never seen All the Nobles of his Army which worshipped him whilst he lived kept their old manner and custom at certain times entring in and prostrating themselves on the ground saluted the Emperor after his death lying in his Coffin as if he had been still living The Senate and all other Magistrates worshipped his Body with like reverence All sorts of people even Women and Children in infinite number came to see the solemnity and these things were performed many daies This blessed Emperor was he alone which reigned when he was dead Euseb Ca. 66. and to him alone God himself being Author thereof all honors which were wont to be given when he lived were given after his death For he being the only Emperor which in all the actions of his life piously and religiously worshiped God the King of
all and his Son Jesus Christ he alone by right obtained this honour by the will of God to have that which was buried in death to reign among men Howe 's of the Romans f. 45. In the 20. year of this Constantine was held as saith Mr. Howes the Councel of Nice with great Solemnity wherein were condemned and suppressed the damnable Heresies of Arius Bigot the vain-glorious and dissembling Minister whereof the Arian Heresie took the Name and for a long space after much troubled Christendom And at this time the Nicene Creed was commanded to be sung and said in all Churches And the forenamed Arius pretending to make a Retract of all his Heresies took his leave of the Emperor The fearfull end of an arch Heretick as if he had great necessity to take Physick to purge his Body which Purgation never ceased working till it had purged him of all his bloud and bowels and so he died most miserably and shamefully How es ibid. About this time saith the same Author Octavius whom Constantine left Governor in Brittain rebelled against whom Constantine sent Traherne his Uncle with a Legion of Romans who after divers Conflicts was slain Old English Chronic. f. 34 p. 4. The old English Chronicle saith When Constantine went from this Land to Rome he took all his lond to keep to the Earl of Cornwall that was called Octavian And anon as this Octavian wist that his Lord dwelt at Rome incontinent be ceased all the lond into his hands and therewith did all his will among hy and low and they held him for King But other Historians both Brittish and English Domestical and Foreign affirm that Constantine at his going from Brittain to Rome committed the Government of this Countrey to the Roman Proconsuls and the named Octavian or Octavius took arms against them slew them and so obtained to be King here The Monk of Westminster saith this Octavius was a King before a Regulus or Prince of the People in and about Worcestershire Harding saith he was Duke of West Sex he must mean where the West Saxons after ruled for they came not into Brittain till a long time after this But after his day came one Octavius Duke of West sex that crowned was for King That slewgh the Werdins of Constantinus Which that he set for Brittain governing In his abscence to keep it in all thing Besides this there be other difficulties among the Historians about this Octavius and such as will discredit him for having had many great and chief and long Commands as a King in this Nation Math Westm setteth down his conquering the Roman Proconsul here in the year of Christ 314 when divers more ancient and received Historians say that S. Helen our Queen and Empress continued here long after that time Br. fol. 543. 4. And her Son Constantine Emperor now at the highest of his Glory Power and Victories and having so many Brittish Soldiers without imployment in France so near unto us cannot be immagined to have suffered any Enemy in his own native Countrey so to have prevailed or how could such a man as Octavius is supposed to be assemble such an Army in Brittain where that victorious Emperor was undoubted King and whence he had so great an Army of Brittains so lately before that by them as our Historians write he vanquished all most innumerable Companies of his most potent Enemies And as these Relators of Octavius his proceedings themselves are Witnesses the power with Constantine was so great that the Romans which came hither unto him seeing his power said No Prince in the world was comparable to him for strength Where then in Brittain could Octavius gather an Army so soon to encounter and overthrow three Legions of Roman Soldiers besides their Adherents as these men say And Eusebius saith that Constantine himself came hither again and was here longer after this pretended Revolt and at his death gave Brittain the ancient Patrimony to his Eldest Son Again these men say Octavius was King here until Maximus his time and married his only Daughter and Heir unto him when it is a common consent in Antiquities that this Maximus or Maximinianus was not King in Brittain till after the 380. year of Christ Therefore he must needs be granted to be very young of too few years at the going of Constantine hence for him to commit the Government of Brittain unto him or for himselfe to have so soon Usurped against it so rightfull and potent King and Emperour Our most ancient and best Historians S. Gildas S. Bede Marianus Florentius Wigorniensis Ethelwardus Henry of Huntington and William of Malmsbury although as diligently as they could recounting our Kings of Brittain never mention any such Octavius or Octavian but the chiefest and most ancient among them S. Gildas plainly saith that this Island was at this time and until Maximus or Maximinian a Brittain took upon him the Empire a Roman Island Insula nomen Romanum tenens And divers Historians both late and ancient do particularly set down our Kings after Constantine the Great and Roman Leivtenants here until these daies as Constantine Constantius Julian Valentinian Gratian Emperors or Kings Martinus Lupicinus Nectaridius Theodosius Fraomarius and other Roman Lievtenants and Governors here And when the Councel of Ariminum was kept about the year of Christ 360 and the 23. year of Constantius son of Constantine the Great it is certain that this Constantius was our King in Brittain and bore the charge of the poorest Bishops of this Kingdom as then under his Government which were present there and he was so far from losing Brittain or any other Countrey of his Empire then as Sozomen and others testifie that Councel thus wrote unto him Epist Arimin Conc. ad Constant Imp. apud Sozoni Hist l. 4. c. 47. at this time this Empire so encreased that all the World was under his Government this was above twenty years after the death of the great Constantine in whose time this Revolt of Brittain from him is thus supposed and above twice so long time of the imagined usurpation here by Octavius And Zonaras writeth that this Constantius in the fourteenth year of his Empire banished or rather carried with him Athanasius into Brittain at his coming hither Therefore I dare not assent that in this time of the greatest flourishing Estate of the Roman Empire and the power thereof in Brittain Harding Cron. c. 63. f. 51. Galf. Mon. Hist Reg. Bri. l. 5. cap. 9. Pont. Virun Hist l. 5. Math. West an 379. especially from whence the glory of it grew to that greatness either Octavius or any other so much prevailed here to bar the Emperors of that honour But he might towards the time of Maximus or Maximianus when the Empire had more Enemies and less power prevail in some such sort as these Historians have written of him although they differ also in Maximian as well as in Octavius one saith he
now after his brothers death a professed friend to the Arian heresie or rather a professed Arian then reigning in Brittain maketh it evident that our Brittish Bishops which could not plead sufficient cause of excuse and absence were generally present there And it those few poor Bishops of Brittain which were not able to bear their own charges were drawn thither to be maintained by the Emperour how much rather must we judge the same of so many potent and rich in this Country which could pretend no such excuse So that we see no excuse but infirmity either by age or sicknesse to have caused any Brittish Bishops absence thence A late writer thinketh Iltutus then as he conjectureth Arch-Bishop of London the Arch-Bishops of York and Gaerleon the Bishops of Winchester Harris Eccles Hist Tom. 4. c. 24. Chichester and Glocester with others were there I see no particular warrant he bringeth more for those than any other of so many Episcopal Brittish Cities of that time which I have before remembred all of them being in the same condition for presence or absence but where just excuses and lets were singular to any in particular above the rest For good Authors have Testified that all in general were urged to be there without any exception or to be exempted And almost all Bishops in the world were then caused to be either at Ariminum in Italy where those of the West were Sulpi Sever. Sacr. histor l. 2. Epist Conc. Arim. ad Con. apud Theod. l. 2. Hist c. 19. Mr. Bro. fol. 552. Epist Arimin Conc. ad Constan Imp. apud Theod. l. 2. c. 20. alios or at Seleucia appointed for the Easterne Bishops and the command was for all Bishops generally to be there this was the Emperors command to the Presidents of the Provinces to compel all to be present And the Councel of Ariminum it self in the Epistle to Constantius the Arian Emperour testifieth plainly that all the Bishops of the West were there assembled The far greater part of these were Catholick Bishops and of the whole number about 400. There was not by Severus Sulpilius his relation above 80. Arians St. Athanasius saith there were 50 and more and St. Ambrose witnesseth that the greatest part of the Bishops there confirmed the faith of the Nicene Councel and condemned the Arian errors This is testified by the same Councel in two several Epistles to the Emperor that they neither could nor would swerve from the doctrine of the Nicene Councell And although the Emperour both by his Epistle to that Councel and otherwise by fraud and terrours endeavoured for to remove them from that holy minde and communicate with the Arians they plainly wrote answer again constantly averring they would change nothing they had decreed and gave their Legates charge to tell him as much in words And to make it manifest that although by many Writers divers of the Bishops being convented and overcome both with the deceit of the Arians and persecution of the Emperour did afterward subscribe to a material error our Bishops of Brittain were free both from imputation and suspition thereof Socrates Sozomen Nicephorus and others prove that the Emperour neglecting to return answer to the second absolute resolution and Epistle the Councel staying some time for answer and having none they all departed to their countries and Sees Hil. li. contra Arian Argent Socrat. Hist Ecoles l. 2. c. 29 41. Sozom Hist l. 4. c. 18. and wholely dissolved the Councel St. Hillary saith plainly this Councel endeth Religiously by all So our Bishops must remove from Ariminum none being returned home or so far from recalling by any new edict or stratagen of the Emperour then of Constantinople very far from Ariminum and further from our Bishops travel into Brittain they could be none of that number which were circumvented or verified to subscribe to the wicked Emperour and his Arian favourites designes This persecution of Vrsatius by the command of Constantius the Emperour stretched not so far as Brittain his malice and indignation being against Liberius Pope of Rome and the Bishops of Italy And our Historians have made it doubtful whether Constantius had so much power in Brittain after this time to execute such cruelty This Constantius was at the time of his death by Sozomen about 45 years old full 45 saith Socrates besides the time he reigned with his Father after his death Sozom. Hist Eccle. l. 5. c. 1. Socrat. l. 2. c. 37 say Socrates Sozomen and Nicephorus he was Emperour 25 yeares he died on the third day of the Nones of November by Nicephorus his account in the 367. year of Christ some set down his death somwhat sooner Baron Spo. Annal. Tom. 4. as they have done his Fathers before above 25 yeares sooner than this account of Nicephorus of the year of Christ 367. for Constantius his death yet grant he was Emperour 25. years after his Father died About this time Martinus an aged man was made Deputy of Brittain when Paulus a Spaniard surnamed Catena a name well sorting with his nature was sent thither as a Commissioner to enquire of such as had conspired with Magnentius Brittish Hist l. 3. fol. 140. But under colour of his authority he called in question such as were not faulty either upon false information or private displeasure and sometimes to make a gain of those that were accused which course Martinus the Deputy mislikeing intreated him that such as had been no actors in Rebellion might be no partners in punshment with offenders Whereupon Paulus discharging the Deputy himself as a favourer of Traytors and privy to the conspiracy did so far forth incense Martinus that being either impatient of reproaches or perhaps not altogether guiltlesse he struck at Paulus with his Sword intending to have killed him but failing in the execution he presently thrust the Sword into his own body Gratianus Funarius though he were not specially bound by oath to the Emperor as some others had been yet for that he had received Magnentius into his house was adjudged to forfeit all his goods the rest of the accused persons being fettered and presented to the Emperor he condemned some to death and some to exile Julianus Now was the Government of Gallia and Brittain assigned to Julianus afterwards called the Apostata whom Constantius had made Caesar Brittish Hist l. 3 fol. 141. Lupicinus Master of the Armour to the Emperor a good Souldier but notorious for his pride covetousnesse and cruelty and after him Alipius were sent into Brittain to represse the Inhabitants that had invaded the Province there whilst Julianus himself remained in Gallia not daring to passe into the Isle both for that he feared the Gaules who were ready upon the least occasion to revolt and also doubted the Almanes who were then up in Armes Mr. Bro. fol. 562. Constantius the last over-living Son of Constantine being dead Julianus brother to Gallus and Son to
Constantius Chlorus by Theodora a man by no title of descent heir or King of Brittain was acknowledged for Emperor for although this Constantius last Emperour by the instigation and perswasion of Eusebia the Empress made him a Caesar in the Empire he himself not able to discharge the whole burden of so manifold troubles and invasions of the Barbarous for so the Romans called strangers in divers places of the Empire especially in Gallia now France whereas Zosimus saith they took 40 Cities neer the River of Rhene and gave unto him in marriage his Sister Helena and sent him to Govern the part of the Empire on this side the Alps Zosim Hist l. 3. Socr. Hist Eccl. l. 3. c. 1. Cassiod Tripart Hist l. 6. c. 1. Nicep l. 10. c. 1. Bar. Spond Annal. anno 360. Soc. l. 3. c. 1. Cassiod Tri. Hist l. 6. c. 1. Amianus l. 21. Socrates Cassiodorus and others testifie it was thought that when Constantius sent him into the dangerous wars of Gallia his Wife Helena being then dead he did it to have him slain by the cruel and potent Enemies And Constantius limiting his power to do nothing without consent of others And not only this but he secretly incited Vadomarus King of the Franks to take Armes against Julian and incited others by his letters which they sent to Julian for their excuse to invade the Romans where Julian Ruled which when Julian perceived and remembring the old hatred he had born him from his Childhood he required him with the like measure shewing much love and favour to those under his command whom Constantius hated or dis-favoured which among Christians were the Catholick Bishops and others whom he had persecuted And this his favour and kindnesse towards Catholicks had continued with him even from his first being Caesar in these parts as evidently appeareth in the case of St. Hillary that renowned glory of Gods Church who at the same time he was exiled by the procurement of the wicked Arians and consent of Constantius unjustly was by Julianus whom he called his Lord and Religious Caesar adjudged Innocent and for his love and defence of St. Hillary did suffer more reproach of the Arian persecutors than St. Hillary endured injury by that exilement Thus we see Julian whilst he continued in these Western parts was a favourer of the Catholick Religion but Julian quite leaving these Western Nations before either he persecuted Christians or left the profession of their Religion living so short a time Emperor not two years by two Moneths and three dayes Baron an 363 as Baronius thinketh he doth demonstrate and never returning Westward again Brittain could not be afflicted with his Apostasie After the death of Constantius who is said to have repented three things at his last gasp first that he caused the death of his Son-in-Law The second that he made Julian who proved an Apostate Emperour Mr. Bro. fol. 56. And the third that he professed and favoured the Arian Heresie for which offences craving pardon and repenting he died a holy death Gregor Nazian in Orat. in Julianum Nicep l. 9. Hist c. 50. British Hist 141. and was buried with such solemnities as the Catholicks use in the funerals of them that make a holy end And to confirm the opinion of men with the authority and Testimony of Heaven and Angels he saith it was commonly related that his body was with such solemnity carried to Constantinople to be buried there an Angelical Harmony was heard by many as reward of his piety Julianus possessing the Empire which he had usurped in the life time saith the Brittish History of Constantius banished Palladius an honorable person into Brittain and sent Alipius to repair the walls of Jerusalem in which attempt God discovering his wrath by terrifying the Builders with thunder and lightning and killing many thousand Jewes gave an apparent testimony how vain a thing it is for man to oppose himself against the uncontrollable Decree of Almighty God and who so shall consider the strange and miraculous death of this Julian as being slain from Heaven and his desperate crying out Thou hast vanquish'd me O Galilean when he yielded up his damnable Soul I suppose will be terrified both from falling into Apostasie or taking any Oath of abjuration concerning his Faith and Religion Jovian Jovian succeeded Julianus in the Empire which he held but few months when he was chosen Emperor as Ruffinus Theodoret Socrates and others testifie he refused it Ruffinus Hist l. 2. c. 1. Theodoret l. 4. c. 1. Socr. Hist l. 3. c. 19. Matth. West ann 366. and being thereto taken by the Soldiers against his will openly professed that he being a Christian would not be Emperor over Infidels but all of them confessing themselves to be Christians he accepted the Empire This Christian magnanimity appeared evidently in this new elected Emperor before in the time of Julian for Julian apostating and making a Decree that Soldiers should either sacrifice to Idols or leave the wars he being then a Tribune rather made choice to forsake all hope of temporal preferment than obey that wicked Edict Whereupon Julian then standing in need of such Assistants retained him still in the number of his Commanders notwithstanding he so couragiously professed himself a Christian This renowned Man was at one and the same time as Ruffinus cals him a Confessor Emperor and Extinguisher of Error Jovian commended and God wonderfully honored his constancy even in his life not only in the conferring the Imperial honor upon him but in the manner thereof Ruff. sup Theodoret l. 4 c. 1. that being so professed a Catholick Christian the whole Army did with one voice choose him Emperor which joyned with that is said of them before upon Jovianus refusing to be Emperor over Pagans how with one voice they all confessed themselves to be Christians sufficiently proveth that either the Edict of Julian to force his Soldiers to sacrifice to Idols was never received or generally observed or they sinned only in external act of Idolatry by that compulsion still persevering in judgement and affection Christians Socr. l. 3. c. 5. Ruff. l. 2. c. 1. Socrates saith he reigned but 7 months Ruffinus eight Valentinian Now therefore although Jovianus was a worthy Catholick Christian Emperor ever following that Religion and Doctrine against the Arians as Socrates and others prove Socr. l. 3. c. 20. and shutting up the Pagan Temples and forbidding their Sacrifices yet being Emperor so short a time and chosen living and dying in the East Countries far remote from Brittain it did not receive so great benefits by so good an Emperor as nearer Nations did but during his short Regiment continued much after the same manner it did before until Valentinian was chosen Emperor who being a Catholick and reigning divers years over Brittain and his Son Gratian after him this Kingdom in their times was free from Heresie which they persecuted Socr.
Souldiers and pleasure of God S. Severinus de vita S. Martini Cap. 23. for defence and necessity of the Empire God himself sufficiently giving testimony thereto by the incredible event and victory following and that he slew none of his adversaries but in the feild upon which satisfaction St. Martin came to the feast and was far more honored of this Emperor there than any Prince the Emperors uncle brothers and such others there present sitting next unto the Emperor himself and his own Priest and Chaplain sat among those Princes Mr. Broug fo 573. And such was the honour and reverence our Emperor did yeeld publickly to that holy Bishop that in that solemn feast he refused to drink untill S. Martin had drunk out of the same bole before he condemned Priscillianus the heretick his Sectaries to death and banishment Justantius Tiberianus into our Brittish Island named Silley his judgement against those Hereticks was for things by them committed against his temporal estate Hâ—rris Hist Tom. 4. c. 34. Magdeb. cent 4. c. 16. Sylvius bonus C. Max. Caes Laudes Io. Leland Io. â—its in Silvio Bonâ— Harris sup Zosim l. 4. Baro. Spondan 382 in Anâ—al Annal. Scot. apud Hect. Boet. l. 7. Scot. Hist initio Yet do I not so contend saith Mr. Broughton to free Maximus that I would wash him clean from all spots and aspersions wherewith he is stained by some Writers I rather excuse him in profession of Religion then conversation of life yet both Symmachus Consul of Rome and our Brittish Writer Sylvius stiled the good Sylvius living in his time wrote Books in his praise and the very Scotish Antiquaries the greatest enemies he had for conquering and expelling them out of Brittain are forced to confesse that his carriage was such that it drew even his enemies to love honour and follow him and give him that honour here in Brittain which never any Emperor King or Ruler in it since the first inhabiting thereof enjoyed before him Which is that Ruling here 17 years he possessed and ruled over all Albion or Brittain And in this his general command here was a friend favourer to good Christians that Hiergustus being then King of the Picts both he and all his subjects Christians he freely for a small Tribute to testifie the whole Island belonged to the Roman Empire in his time suffered though a stranger quietly to reign as King among the Picts And plainly confessed that in Brittain divers years he behaved himself and in all mens judgement governed vertuously couragiously and as a good Emperor ought to do And that both the Christian Brittains and Picts the only then inhabitants here did marvelously well love him his Brittish Wife Queen and Empress daughter of Octavius is commended in the Histories to have been a very vertuous Lady The Brittish History sayth that Maximus being overthrown by Theodosius fled into Aquileia when by the treason of his own Souldiers whilst he was paying them their wages he was delivered to Theodostus disrobed of his Imperial ornaments and speedily put to an ignominious Death Theodosius Maximus being dead Theodosius the elder as he was Emperor so was he King and Ruler in Brittany this man is most renowned in Histories for the honoring the Church hate of heresies his praises be exceeding many among ancient Writers therefore I will onely and briefly use the testimonies of modern Historians in his behalf in their own words Stow Howe 's hist Tit. Rom. in Thedosio Magdeburg Cent. 4. c. 7. Col. 568. Mag. Cent. c. 10. Theod. Hist l. 6. c. 8. Theodosius the elder a most Christian Emperor Theodosius did open pennance in Millaine and fasted and prayed eight Months together according as St. Ambrose had enjoyned him because in the first part of his Empire he had commanded 5000 Citizens of Thessalonica to be slain and for the executing the innocent with the wicked in form of civil justice therefore the Arch-bishop would not permit him to rule in the Church nor to receive the Sacrament until he had performed his pennace The Magdeburgians of Germany say this Sacrament was Sacratissimum Domini Corpus preciosus Domini Sanguis Howes saith that St. Vrsula with 11000 Virgins which were sent into little Brittain to be married were martyred in this Theodosius his reign but others say it was in the time of Maximus Surius in St. Vrsula one give this relation Maximus entred into France possessed it all but especially one Province which was then called Formorica which is now called Little-Brittain because the Brittains did conquer and rase it and with great rage and fury put to Sword all the Natives thereof left it uninhabited as a wildernesse Maximus thought it necessary to people that Province again because it lay fit for him therein to conserve and transport his Brittish Souldiers Surius Ri. badeneira octob 21. and for that purpose he divided the fertile feilds lands of the Lesser-Brittain amongst his Souldiers which came to him out of Brit. to the end they might Till and Husband it and reap the fruit thereof But because his Souldiers might marry and have succession and settle themselves in that Province where there was no women for that they were also put to the Sword he determined to send unto the Island of Brittain Scotland and Ireland for a great number of Virgins which being brought into the new and lesse Brittain might marry with those Souldiers who were for the most part naturals of their own Country The chief Commander of all that Army was called Conanus a man of great birth and of greatest estimation of all the Brittains The Hist of St. Vrsula whom Maximus hath made his Leiuetenant General and Warden of all the Ports of that Coast Conanus desired to marry with the daughter of Dionecius King of Cornwal called Vrs a most Noble and vertuous Lady in whom did shine all the gifts of chastity beauty grace which might be desired in a woman throughout the Province of there were called forth 11000 Virgins as well for the intent above mentioned as also that they might accompany Vrsula who was to be their leader and Lady some of these Virgins went of their own accord others by constraint But seeing that the command of Maximus then Emperour was so peremptory that no excuse could be admitted they embarked themselves in those ships which were prepared for their passage unto the new Province of Brittain It pleased our Lord that these ships lancing out of the Haven met with a quite contrary wind which instead of carrying that blessed company towards Brittaine it furiously carried them quite contrary and passing by Zeland and Holland drove them into the mouth of the River of Rhene a River of great capacity and depth and carried them so high as the water did ebb and flow At that time when this happened Gratian the Emperour understanding what Maximus had done in Brittain and France and
cogitations he nourished his ambitious humour howbeit knowing well that the forces which were already brought into the Isle would not be sufficient to accomplish the enterprize he perswaded Vortiger it was very necessary that more aid should be sent for out of Germany and to that end he named his Brother Octha and his Son Ebusa men of approved valour who might be directed to land with a power in the Picts own Country and to assail the Inhabitants there while himself in the South parts pursued the rest of them with whom he had already encountered whose Forces being by that means diverted from the heart of the Isle to succour their Country men at home or wanting their wanted supplies which should then of force be employed elsewhere for defence there might be some hope of a speedy and full end of the war The event whereof otherwise was now more to be feared then in former times if the North Brittains whetted with the desire of revenge and having space of breathing given them should make head and assail them again This counsel seeming profitable howsoever it proved pernicious in the end was allowed by the King either for that he foresaw not the peril likely to ensue thereupon or else for that such things as God himself hath determined are doubtlesse though sometimes foreseen yet never prevented In the mean while the Germains inflamed with continual reports of the wealth and fruitfulnesse of the Isle and sollicited by Hengist who discovered unto them the weak estate of the Brittains and the facility of supplanting them hired certain small vessels wherein themselves Wives Children and Families were transported into divers parts of the land At which time Rowen the Daughter of Hengist a woman of excellent beauty and not of the worst behaviour having been specially sent for by her Father arrived in Kent and was forthwith conveyed to the Pallace where Vortiger and Hengist made their abode Of those Germains that then came over there were three several kinds of people namely Saxons Juites and Angles though the Saxons seemed to bear the most sway by reason both of the general respect of that Nation for their many and great exployts A God of the Saxons from whence we call the third day in the week Wedesnday and also for the authority of their Captains Hengist and Horsa who where of the linage of Woden from whom the Saxon Princes that afterwards raigned in this Isle used alwaies for honours sake to derive their descent From these Saxons the East West and South Saxons had their Original The Juites as some Authours report and as the affinity of the names may seem in some sort to inferr were descended from the Jetes and Bothes and dwelt in the upper part of Denmark which is at this day called Juiteland from them the Kentish men The Kentish men from whence with the Inhabitants of the Isle of Wight and of that part of the Land which lyeth over against it had their beginning The name of the Juites was of no long continuance in Brittain notwithstanding their posterity was incorporated into the Saxons and Angels who were accounted but one Nation the name of either of them being indifferently used as common to both till in the end the Angles possessing the greatest part of the land they were all known and called by that name alone The Angles in those dayes were a people well esteemed among the Germains and in number exceeded both Saxons and Juites Lin olnsh Yorlsh Northum Noting Derby c. from whence Touching their ancient seat the opinions of writers are differing though it be most probable that they did sometimes inhabit that part of Denmark yet retaining the name of Angle which lyeth between Juitland and Holsutia From them came the East Angles Mercians and Northumbers But Hengist knowing well that fraud and cunning practises oft times prevail where force it self cannot resolved as occasion might serve to make use of both and to that end observing well the Kings humour he applyed himself in all things to follow it specially by soothing and nourishing him in those vices to which by nature he was most addicted supposing thereby to strengthen his own estate and with more security to accomplish his desire while the King intended nothing more then the satisfaction of his own immoderate appetites in sensuall pleasures Brittish Hist par 2. fol. 188 which had already brought him in contempt and hatred with his people and would by all likelyhood open the way to his speedy destruction Whereupon one day inviting Vortiger to a feast he appointed Rowen his daughter to attend upon him as his Cup-bearer at which time by her fathers instruction she behaved her self in such manner as the King fell in love with her and although he had a wife then living yet was he not ashamed to tell Hengist in plain termes that he earnestly desired to become his Son in Law if he might attain his consent for the marriage of his daughter Hengist who had cast out this bait on purpose to catch him pretended respect of Vortigers own reputation which as he said should be too much impaired by matching with a poor maid a stranger by birth far inferiour to him in degree and no way worthy of so great Fortune howbeit in the end he seemed by intreaty to yield to that which himself would voluntarily have offered and so making use of the occasion he was content to take the thanks which he of right should have given Hereupon Vortiger having cast behind him all regard both of Divine and Humane Lawes did put away his lawful wife by whom he had three children and contrary to the advice of his faithful Councellours Vortiger marrieth Hengistâ— daughter having a wife of his own married Hengist the Saâ—â—â—s daughter Upon the conclusion of this marriage a great part of the Country of Kent which had been many years together governed by Guorongus as the Kings Deputy there was assigned to Hengist who like a wilie serpent having now gotten in his head found means in short time to wind in his whole body It is reported by some writers that Vodin then Arch-bishop of London reproving the King for his incontinency and other vices which drew him down with his Realm to ruine was by the commandment of Hengist put to death The Archbishop of London put to death by Hengists command with many other Priests and religious Votaries as persons too well affected to their Country and odious to the Saxons for profession of Christianity This inconsiderate match and immeasurable bounty of the King was much disliked by the Brittains for that the Saxons presuming of the Kings favour by reason of his new affinity with them came over daily in great numbers pestering the East parts of the Isle and many times offering abuse to the natural Inhabitants whereupon the Brittish Nobility complained to the King Vortiger neglects to hear his Brittish Nobles counsell that their estate was
their memory with some worthy monument caused these stones to be set up in the place of their murther and burial the which stones had been first brought from Affrick into Ireland and had been placed on Mount Killare and from thence by the industrious means of Merlin were conveyed to this place to the foresaid end There are about this place certain little hills or banks under which are found sometimes bones of big men and pieces of armour also not far from thence remain old ruines of the manner of a fortress which the Romans most likely did build there in times past Such was the devotion of this time as we may gather by old Writers testifying that after the Pagan Saxons had destroyed the Churches and Abbeys in Brittain yet many still remained Will. Lamb. Peram of Kent p. 330. Mr. Broug fol. 601. Mat. West an 490. Idem an 498. Galf. Mon. hist Brit. l. 7. c. 16 and their Abbats were honoured and Will. Lamb. perambulation in Kent tells us In ancient time even the greatest personages held Monks and Nuns in such veneration and liking that they thought no Citty in case to flourish no house to have long continuance no castles sufficiently defenced where was not an Abbey Priory or Nunnery either placed within the walls or planted at hand or near adjoyning and numbred among our Nobles spiritual Lords before the temporal So it was in that great solemnity when Aurelius Ambrosius kept the feast of Penticost at Amesbury he had there many Bishops Abbots and many other Noble persons And after Brittain was more decayed by those Pagans yet there were still both Bishops and Abbats here and they buried the body of their King Aurelius Ambrosius in regall manner thus it was in all places and Provinces in this Kingdom where these Pagans reigned most London Winchester Lincolne York and other parts where they destroyed Churches and all holy monuments Mat. West an 462. martyred the Priests at the Altars burnt holy Scriptures defaced and obscured Martyrs tombs They found every where Religious persons who flying their persecution hid themselves in caves woody places and desart crags of hills and mountains Alla and his three sons Kymon Plineing and Cissa came into Brittain with three ships and landed with them in a place called Kimon shore Howe 's Brit. Saxon. fol. 53. and there slew many of the Brittains forcing the rest to take their flight into a wood called Andredsleage This Alla fighting with the Brittains in a place neer unto Macreds Boorn or Micreds Rilear slew many of them and put the rest to flight Alla and Cissa his sons after long seige brake into the Citty of Andredcester and slew the inhabitants Andredcester from the greatest to the smallest Port and his two sons Byda and Moegla arrived in Brittain with two ships in a place called Portesmouth Portsmouth and there slew a young Gentleman one of the Nobility of the Brittains and divers others The same year two Dukes to wit Cerdic and Kenric his son came into Brittain with five ships and arrived in a place called Cerdic shore the same day they fought with the Brittains and put them to flight Howes ut sup Cerdic and his son Kenrie slew Natanland King of the Brittains and 5000 men of whose name that countrey as far as Cerdicsford was called by the name of Natanleend I beseech Mr. Howe 's to give me leave to tell him that Port could not land at Portsmorth nor Cerdic at Cerdicshore being names at their arrivall utterly unknown and questionlesse had other Brittish names these nomenclations seemed to be taken from Port and Cerdic and therefore the Authour should better have given their first appellations Ambrosius Aurelianus or Aurelius being poysoned dyed when he had reigned thirty five years and was buryed at Stone-hedge then called Chorsa Gigantum It is strange to me that a Prince so much a Christian and a restaurator and repairer of Churches Monasteries and sacred places consecrated for the Sepulture of devout Christians and that both Bishops and Abbots should be present at the funerals and obsequies of so deserving a King and not afford him a Sepulcher in a Church he having repaired and re-edified so many Vter Pendragan After that Aurelius Ambrosius was dead his brother Vter Pendragon whom Harrison calleth Aurelius Vterîus Ambrosianus was made King in the year of our Lord 500. The cause why he was sirnamed Pendragon was for that Merlin the great Prophet likened him to a Dragons head that at the time of his nativity marveilously appeared in the Firmament Hollenshed Hist of Engl. fol. 127. Howes Stow Brittains and Saxons fol. 53 at the corner of a blazing star as is reported Others suppose that he was so called of his wisdome and serpentine subtilty or for that he gave the Dragons head for his arms This Vter hearing that the Saxons with their Captains Octa or Occa the Son of Hengist and his brother Osca had besieged the Citty of York hasted thither and giving them battail put them to flight and took Osca and Occa prisoners Hector Boetius in his Chronicle is of an other opinion for he saith Vter Pendragon at the death of his brother Aurelius was in Wales as not yet fully recovered of a dangerous sicknesse wherewith lately he had been extreemly molested yet the Lords of Brittain after the funerall of their last King came unto him and set the Diadem upon his head and though he was not able to go against the Saxons who by reason of Aurelius his death were very busy and more earnest in pursuing the war then before and army was yet prepared and sent forth with all convenient speed under the leading of one Nathaliod a man neither of ancient extraction nor skill in military affairs The Noble men were nothing pleased herewith and misliking altogether the lack of discretion in their new King they doubted much least in time to come he would have more delight to advance men of base lineage and degree then such as were descended of noble parentage yet because they would not put the state of the Land in danger through any mutiny they agreed to go forth with him in that journey Occa had advertisement given him by secreet letters sent to him by some close friends among the Brittains of the whole matter and therefore in hope of the better successe he made all possible speed to encounter the Brittains and thus the one army coming in fight of the other they prepare to the battail and shortly after the first onset the Brittains retreated and turned their backs by reason that one of their chiefest Commanders called Gothlois disdaining to be under Nathaliod got him up to the top of the next hill with such as were under his power and charge leaving the other Brittains in eminent danger which they perceiving began also to save themselves by flight There dyed no great number of the natives for Occa mistrusting what Gothlois
bodies Josephus l. 1. antiq saith that Angels begat those Gyants Tertullian also lib. de hab itu muiebri holdeth the same errour and divers more otherwise good Authours But St. Cylril of Alexandria l. 1. c 9. adv Juli. St. Chrisost hom 22. in Gen. St. Ambrose de Noe a rca c. 4. St. Aug. l. 15. c. 23 de civit St. Hierome Tradit Hebraic and other most principal Doctours teach it to be untrue yea impossible that those Giants should have been begotten by any other creatures then men For that Angels and Devils are meer spirits without all Natural bodies And if they had airy bodies as they have not yet they could not have such generation for the power or force to engender belongeth to the vegitative soul whose proper operations are to turne nutriment into substance of the subject wherein it is and to engender new issue or offspring from the same as Aristotle sheweth l. 2. de anima textu 24. And in what body soever there is a vegitative soul it must needs be that the same was engendered and must sometime decay and die and so the devills should be mortall Moreover if they could have generation together with mankind then such issue should be a distinct species both from man and Divell as a mule differeth both from Horse and Asse and again if spirits had abused women in assumpted bodies and shapes of men yet they did not take them to wives as the Scripture saith they did who begat these giants Finally the holy Scripture expresly calleth the giants men These be the mighty ones famous men The modesty of Scripture terming them famous whom our common phrase would call infamous being more monstrous in wickedness of mind then in hugenesse of body For they were most insolent lascivious covetous cruel and in all kind of vices most impious And if Arthur had not been revoked home to resist his Cozen Mordred that was son to Loth King of Pictland that rebelled in his Country he had passed to Rome intending to make himself Emperour and afterwards to vanquish the other Emperour that then ruled the Empire but for so much as there is not any approved Authour doth speak of any such thing we will let it alone At his returne into Brittain he found that Mordred had caused himself to be made King and having allyed himself with Childrick a Saxon not him whom Gaufride as ye have heard supposeth to have been slain before was ready to have resisted his landing so that before he could come to shore he lost many of his men but yet at length he repulsed his enemies but not without great losse of his own men and at length landed at Sandwich and then joyned in battail with his enemies in this conflict was slain Gawin a noble Chieftain whose death he much lamented who was brother to Mordred who like a faithful Gentleman regarding more his honour and loyal truth then neernesse of blood chose rather to fight in the quarrel of his lawful King and loving master then to take part with his natural brother in an unjust cause and so there in that battail was slain together also with Auguisal to whom Arthur formerly had committed the government of Scotland Mordred fled from this battail and getting ships sailed Westward and finally landed in Cornwall King Arthur caused the corps of Gawin to be interred at Dover as some hold opinion but William of Malmsbury supposeth that he was buryed in Wales as after shall be shewed The dead body of Anguisall was conveyed into Scotland and there buryed After that Arthur had put his enemies to flight he had intelligence into what part Mordred was withdrawn with all speed he reenforced his army with new recruits called out of several places and with his whole puissance hasted forward not resting till he came neer to the place were Mordred was encamped with such an Army as he could assemble together from his friends and adherents Here as apeareth by John Leyland in his book entituled The assertion of Arthur it may be doubted in what place Mordred was encamped but Jeffry of Monmoth sheweth that after Arthur had discomfited Mordred in Kent at the first landing it chanced so that Mordred escaped and fled to Winchester whether Arthur followed and there giving him battail the second time did also put him to flight and following him from thence fought him after at a place called Camblan or Kemelene in Cornewall or as some Authours have it neer Glastenborough This battail was fought with such prowess and eagernesse on both sides that in conclusion Mordred was their slain with the most part of his whole army And Arthur receiving divers mortal wounds died of the same shortly after when he had reigned over the Brittains by the terme of twenty six years His Corps was buryed at Glastenbury in the Church yard betwixt two Pillars where it was found in the dayes of K. Henry the Second about the year of our Lord 1191. which was in the last year of the reign of the same K. Henry more then six of hundred years after the burial thereof He was laid sixteen foot deep under ground for doubt that his enemies the Saxons should have found him But those that digged into the ground there to find his body after they had entered about seven foot deep into the earth found a mighty broad stone with a leaden Crosse fastened to that part which lay downwards towards the Corps containing this inscription Hic jacet sepultus Inclitus Rex Arthurius in Insula Avelonia This inscription was graven on that side of the Crosse which was next to the stone so that till the Crosse was taken off it was not seen His body was found not inclosed within a Tomb of Marble or other stone curiously wrought but within a great tree made hallow like a trunk the which being found and digged up was opened and therein were found the Kings bones of such marveilous bigness that the shin bone of his leg being set on the ground reached up to the middle thigh of a right tall man as a Monk of that Abbey hath written Hapsfield exâ—b Alisto Aug. fol. 39. and Nic. Hapsfield saith the same in manner viz. Os tibiae procerissimam tum hominis tibiam adtrium digitorum longitudinem superaret the length of the shin bone exceeded in length the shin bone of the tallest man then living three fingers in length which lived in those dayes and saw it but Giraldus Cambressis which also lived in those dayes and spake with the Abbot of the place by whom the bones of Arthur were then found affirmeth that by the report of the same Abbot he learned that the shin bone of the said Arthur being set up by the leg of a very tall man the which the Abbat shewed to the said Giraldus came above the knee of the same man the length of three fingers breadth which is much more likely then the other The skull of his head was also of a
Will. of Malms de Reg. Angliae first requiting his banishment with great detriment and loss to those his Enemies wherein he was partaker by his just desert of his Uncles worthy praise for that he stayed for a great many years the destruction of his country which was now runing headlong into utter ruine and decay Hollenshed Hist of Engl. fol. 156. But Arthurs grave no were appeareth but the others tombe was in the dayes of William the Conquerour upon the Sea side and contained in length fourteen foot where he was as some say wounded by his Enemies and cast up by shipwrack but other write that he was slain at a publick feast or banquet by his own Countrimen But here you must consider that Malmesbury departed this life about the begining of the reign of King Henry 2. certain years before the bones of King Arthur were found But now to speak some things of the Queen King Arthur his consort some are of opinion that she took that name from her excellent beauty because Cuynne if truly written in the Welsh tongue signifieth fair so that she was named Guenuere or Guenllean even as you would say the fair and butifull Heonere or Helen she was brought up in the house of Cador D. or E. of Cornwall before Arthur married her and as it appeareth by writers she was evill reported of as noted of Incontinency and breech of faith to her husband but excellent beauties seldom escape the venemous blasts of detracting and envious tongues and never want the amorous courtings of lascivious wantons The Brittish history affirmeth that she did not only abuse her self by unlawfull company with Mordred but that also in Arthurs absence she consented to take him to husband It is likewise found recorded by an old writer that Arthur besieged the Marches near Glastenbury for displeasure that he bore unto a certain Lord called Melva who had ravished Guuennere and led her into those Marches and there did keep her Arthur had two wives as Girald Cam. affirmeth of which the later saith he was buried with him and her bones found in his own Sepulchre so devided yet that two parts of the Tombe towards the head were appointed to receive the bones of the man and the third part towards the feet contained the womans bones a part by themselves Hector Boetius writeth that Queen Guennere being taken by the Picts was conveyed into Scotland were finally she died and was there buried in Angus And this may be true if Arthur had three several wives each of them bearing the name of Guenhere as Sir John Price avoucheth But by reason of the disagreeing of writers touching the great acts atchieved by this Arthur and also for that some difference there is amongst them about the time in which he should reign many have doubted of the truth of the whole history which is written of him The Brittish histories as also the Scotch do agree that he reigned in the dayes of the Emperour Justinian about the fifteenth year of whose reign he died which was in the year of our Lord five hundred forty one as Harrison also confirmeth some write otherwayes The writer of the book called Aurea Historia affirmeth that in the tenth year of Cerdicus King of West Saxons Leyland Arthur the warriour arose amongst the Brittains Also Divionensis writeth that Cerdicus fighting oftimes with Arthur if he were overcame in one moneth he rose in another more strong and fierce then before At length King Arthur over toyled with hard labour and warfair after the twelfth year of the coming of Cerdicus gave unto him upon his homage done and fealty received the Shires of South-Hampton and Somerset the which Country Cerdicus named West Saxon. West Saxon. In the while that this Kingdom was thus troubled with war and destruction between the Brittains and Saxons the Christian Religion was not only abolished in places where the Saxons seated themselves but also among the Brittains the right faith was brought into danger by the reviving of the Pelagian Heresie which began to be broached saith Hollenshed by divers naughty persons and questionless they were so and all such as follow them And although in the first part of this History speaking of this most pestiferous Arch-heretick and his damnable doctrine I then expressed not his Theses yet upon better consideration that all vertuous Christians may avoid them I think it not altogether amiss to lay them open to the World and I must heartily wish that none may follow them The Heresies of Pelagius 1. First he was charged that Adam was made motral and should have died whether he had sinned or no. 2. That his sin did only hurt himself and not humane kind 3. That infants new born are in the same State wherein Adam was before his fall 4. That by the death and prevarication of Adam all Mankind doth not die nor all mankind rise again by the Resurrection of Christ 5. Children may have eternal life though they be not baptized 6. Rich men that be baptized except they renounce all their goods if they are taught to do any good thing it shall not be reputed to them neither can they have the Kingdom of God 7. That the grace and help of God is not given to every act but is from the will or in the Law or Doctrine 8. That the grace of God is given according to our own demerits 9. That Men cannot be called the Children of God except they be altogether without sin 10. And that it is not free-will if it wanteth the help of God because every one hath in his own will to do any thing or not to do it 11. That our victory is not from the help of God but from freewill 12 That to them that seek pardon pardon is not given according to the Grace and mercy of God but according to the labour and merits of them which by penance are worthy of mercy St. Augustine in divers places speaketh of this Arch-heritique and of the Articles whereof he was charged and recanted by Pelagius though dissemblingly for fear as appeared by him afterward so did divers others and add more errours which he held as that 1. Before Christ man was without sin 2. Prayer is not necessary 3. Man is able by the power of Freewill not onely not to sin but not to be tempted 4. That Women ought to sing in the Church 5. That all men ought to be cloathed like Monks St. Augustine addeth that 1. Man might not â—ear at all 2. The life of just men in this life to be altogether without sin and that the Church of Christ in this world consisteth of such 3. He denyed that the Church should offer prayers either for Infidels and such as resisted the doctrine of God that they might be converted unto him or for the faithfull that their faith might be encreased and they persevere in it For these heresies as is said before he was condemned by a
it to be recorded to the end the same of that fact might ever live to his eternal honour and renown of the noble order 9. That if any complaint were made at the Court of this mighty King of perjury or oppression then some Knight of the order whom the King should appoint ought to revenge the same 10. That if any Knight of forrain Nation did come unto the Court with desire to challenge or make shew of his prowess were he single or accompanied those Knights ought to be ready in armes to make answer 11. That if any Lady Gentlewoman or VVidow or Maid or other oppressed person did present a petition declaring that they were or had been in this or that Nation injured or offered dishonour they should be graciously heard and without delay one or more Knights should be sent to take revenge 12. That every Knight should be willing to inform young Princes Lords and Gentlemen in the orders and exercises of armes thereby not only to avoid Idleness but also to encrease the honour of Knighthood and Chevalrie Divers other Articles inciting to magnanimous actions of honour in armes those Knights were sworn to observe Sir William Segar ib. which for brevity I omit nevertheless being used to lose my labour I will adventure to say this little and the rather because this order of Knighthood is ancient I do not read of any Robe or habit prescribed unto these Knights nor with what ceremonie they were made The place of meeting and Convocation was the City of Winchester where King Arthur caused a great round table to be made and at the same the Knights at Pentecost or VVhitsunday did sit and eat the proportion thereof was such as no room could be thought of more dignity then the rest yet as some writers say one seat thereof was called the Sea Perilous reserved for that Knight that did excel the rest in vertue That place by thet consent of all the rest of the Knights was allotted to King Arthur who for his valour surpassed all other Knights and professors of armes Of Officers and Ministers belonging unto this order I do not read but of a Register whose duty was to enter and keep records of all and every action enterprised attempted or performed by any of all those Knights which records were read and sung publickly to the eternizing of their honour and fame Whether the number of these Knights was many or few I do not find but it seemeth imparted to a great many all persons of high dignitie and much prowess for unto King Arthur at Caerleon in Monmoth-Shire resorted at one time ten Kings Caerleon more honoured then any City of Brittain and thirteen Earls besides many Barons and other Knights of meaner qualitie As the conquests of the King were many so was his bounty notable for it is written that unto his chief Scheneshal or Steward called Kay he gave the province of Avion on his Butler Bedwere he bestowed Normandy and to his Cozen Berel he granted the Dutchy of Buriundy and unto many other Lords and valiant Knights he allotted other magnificent gifts according to their vertue Sir John Hayward fol. 4. in Will Conq. Some are of opinion the truth whereof I will not dispute that this most victorious King was not born in lawfull wedlock some make the like quere of Alexander others of Julius Caesar many such have been brought into the World to the great admiration and astonishment of Posterity and that bastards should inherit Kingdomes Principalities and other Seigniories it was no unusual thing Sir John Hayward writing the life of William the Conquerour who is commonly called William the bastard tells us it was a generall custome at that time in France that bastards did succeed even in dignities of highest degree and condition no otherwise then children lawfull begotten Thierry bastard of Clovis had for his partage with the dutifull Children of the said Clovis the Kingdom of Austrasie now called Lowain Sigisbert bastard to King Dagobert the first had his part in the Kingdom of France with Clovis the twelfth lawfull Son to Dagobert Loys and Carloman bastards to King Loyis le Begue succeeded after the death of their Father so likewise in England Alfride bastard Son to Oswine succeeded his Brother Egfride So Adelstane the bastard Son of Edward the Elder succeeded his Father before Edmund and Eldred his younger Brothers notwithstanding they were lawfully begotten So St. Edmund the Martyr bastard Son to King Edgar succeeded him in the state before Ethelbred his lawfull issue Afterward Harold surnamed Harefoot bastard to Canutus succeeded him in the Kingdom before Hardi Canutus his lawfull son The like custome hath been observed in Spain in Portugall and in divers other Countries And it is probable that this use was grounded upon often experience that bastards begotten in the highest heat and strength of affection have many times been men of excellent proof both in courage and understanding this was verified in Hercules Alexander the great Romulus Timotheus Brutus Themistocles Arthur in Homer Demosthenes Bion Bartholus Gracian Peter Lumbard Peter Comestor John Andreas and divers of most florishing name but this custome now concerning succession of bastards in Kingdomes Royalties and other inheritances is obsolete and quite abolished Concerning the Coronation of King Arthur some Authours have written thus the appointed time of the solemnity approaching The Coronation of King Arthur and all being ready assembled in the City of Caerleon the Archbishops of London and York and in the City of Caerleon the Archbishop Dubrick were conveyed to the place with royal solemnity to Crown King Arthur Dubritius therefore because the Court lay within his Diocesse He was crowned at Lanturnam an ancient Abbey but now the house of St. Edward Morgan Baronet furnished him accordingly to perform and solemnize this charge in his own person The King being crowned was with all pompe brought to the Cathedral Church of that Metropolitan See on either hand of him both right and left did the Archbishops support him and four Kings to wit Angusell King of Albania Cadvall King of Venedotia Cador Kings of Cornewall and Sater King of Demetia went before him carrying four golden swords The Companies also and concourse of sundry sorts of Officers played before him most melodious and heavenly harmony On the other part the Queen was brought to the Church of professed * St. Julians now the house of the Lord of Cherbery Nuns being conducted and accompanied by Archbishops and Bishops with her armes and titles royally garnished and the Queens consorts to the four Kings aforesaid carryed before her as the order and custome was four white Doves or Pigeons At a solemnity held by this renowned King upon the feast of Pentecost which was the usual day for the Knights of the Round-table to convene a challenge was brought to King Arthur from a King of Northwales the Copy whereof was given me by the right honorable Richard
Brittain was imprisoned and Edwal Voel the Son of Anarawd and Elise his Brother were slain in a battel which they fought against the Danes and Englishmen This Edwal had six sons Meiric Janaf or Jenan Jago which is James Conan Edwal Vachan and Roderick after whose death Howel Dha his Cosin German ruled all VVales during his life Elise also had Issue Conan and a Daughter named Trawst which was Mother to Conan ap Sitsylht Gruffith ap Sitsylht and Blethin ap Covyn which two last were afterwards Princes of VVales Howel Dha This Howel Dha King or Prince of Southwales and of Powis long before this time after the death of Edwal Voel his cosin took upon him the rule and government of all VVales about the year of Christ 940. who notwithstanding the sons of Edwal did something murmur against him was for his godly behaviour discreet and just rule beloved of men This Howel constituted and made Laws to be kept through his Dominions which were used in Wales till such time as the Inhabitants received the laws of England in the time of King Edward the First and in some places thereof long after These laws are to be seen at this day both in VVelsh and Latine Howel Dha perceiving the laws and customes of his country to have grown unto great abuse sent for the Arch-Bishop of Menenia and all the other Bishops and chief of the Clergy A pious example for all Princes to the number of one hundred and forty Prelates and all the Barons and Nobles of VVales and caused six men of the wisest and best esteemed in every Comote to be called before him whom he commanded to meet altogether at his house called Y Tuy Gwyn Taf that is The white house upon the River Taf. Thither he came himself and there remained with those his Nobles Prelates and Subjects all the Lent in prayer and fasting craving the Assistance and direction of Gods holy Spirit that he might reform the Laws and Customes of the Country of VVales to the honour of God and quiet government of the people About the end of Lent he chose out of that company twelve men of the wisest gravest and of the greatest experience to whom he added one Clerk or Doctour of the lawes named Blegored a singular learned and perfect wise man These had in charge to examine the old lawes and customes of Wales and to gather of such as were meet for the government of the Country which they did retaining those that were wholesome and profitable expounding those that were doubtful and ambiguous and abrogating those that were superfluous and hurtful and so ordained three sorts of Laws The first for ordering of the King or Princes Houshold and his Court. The second of the affairs of the Country and Common-wealth The third of the special customes belonging to particular places and persons Of all the which being read allowed and proclamed he caused three severall books to be written one for his dayly use to follow his Court an other to lye in his Palace at Abersfrew and the third at Dinevour that all the three Provinces of Wales might have the use of the same when need required The King and Princes of Brittain much observant of the See Apostolike And for the better observation of these lawes he procured of the Archbishop of St. Davids to denounce sentence of excommunication against such of his Subjects as refused to obey the same whithin a while after Howel because he would omit nothing that could bring countenance and authority to his said laws went to Rome taking with him the Archbishop of St. Davids the Bishop of Bangor and Asaph and thirteen other of the learnedst and wisest men in VVales where the said lavves being recited before the Pope vvere by his authority confirmed then having finished his devoted pilgrimage he returned home again vvith his company 1. By these lawes they might not morgage their lands but to one of the same family or kindred which were de eadem Parentela 2. Every tenant holding of any other then his Prince or Lord of the Fee paid a fine pro defensione Regia which was called Arian Ardhel in Latine Advocarii 3. No Legacy of goods by Will was good otherwise then those which were given to the Church to the Lord of the Fee or for payment of debts 4. Every man might destrain as well for debts as for rent of Lands any goods or Cattel saving horses which were counted to serve for a mans necessary defence and were not destrainable without the Princes licence 5. Causes of Inheritance were not heard or determined but from the ninth of November till the ninth of February or from the ninth of May until the ninth of August the rest of the year was counted a time of vacation for sowing in the spring and reaping in the harvest This also is to be observed that all matters of inheritance of Land were determined and adjudged by the King or Prince in person or his special Deputy if he were sick or impotent and that upon the view of the said Land calling unto him the Freeholders of the same place two Elders of his Councel the Chief Justice attending alwaies in the Court the ordinary Judge of the Country where the Land lay and the Priest The manner of their proceeding was thus the King or Prince sat in his Judicial seat higher then the rest with an Elder on his right hand and an other on his left and the Freeholders on both sides next unto them which for this cause as I think were called Vchelwyr Before him directly a certain distance off and a little lower sat the Chief Justice having the Priest on his right hand and the ordinary Judg of that Countrey on the left The court being set the Plaintiff came in with his Advocate Champion and Rhyngyth and stood on the right side and last of all the Witnesses on both parties came which stood directly before the Chief Justice at the lower end of the Hall untill they were called up to testify the truth of their knowledge in the matter in varitance The figure of which I thought good here to lay down as ye see Vnderneath Uchelwyr An Elder The King An Elder Uchelwyr The Priest THE Chief Justice The Judge The Defendant  The Plaintiff Rhyngyth  Rhyngyth Advocate  Advocate Champion The VVitnesses Champion After the hearing of this book read the depositions of the witnesses and full pleading of the cause in open Court upon warning given by the Rhyngyth the chief Justice the Priest and the Ordinary Judge withdrew themselves for a while to consult of the matter and then secundum Allegata probata brought their verdict the Court sitting Whereupon the King or Prince after consultation had with the Elders or Seniors which sat by him gave definitive sentence except the matter was so obscure and intricate that right and truth appeared not in the which case it was tryed by the two Champions and so
and Englishmen made war against such as succoured and defended his Uncle Jago and spoyled the Countries of Lhyyn and Kelynnoc Vawr whereby shortly after Jago was taken by Howels men who enjoyed his part of the land peaceably year 979 About the year 979. Edwal Vachan the son of Edwal Voel was slain by his Nephew Howel At this time Custenym Dhu that is Constantine the black son to Jago which then was prisoner hired Godfryd the son of Haroald with his Danes against his Cosin and they both together destroyed Anglesey and Lhyyn whereupon Howel gathered his army together and setting upon them at a place called Gwath Hirbarth overthrew them where Constantine was slain year 981 The year 981. Godfryd the son of Haroald gathered a great army and entred West Wales where spoyling all the Land of Dynet with the Church of St. Davids he fought the battail of Lhanwanoc Likewise in the year next ensuing Duke Alfred with an army of Englishmen spoyled and destroyed Brechnock and great part of the lands of Owen Prince of Southwales against whom Eneon the son of the said Owen and Howel King of Northwales did raise all their power and overthrow them in battail where the greatest part of Alfreds army was slain and the rest put to flight The year following the Gentlemen of Gwentland rebelled against their Prince and cruelly slew Eneon the soâ— of Owen which came thither to appease them This Eneon was a worthy and noble Gentleman who did many notable acts in his fathers time and left behind two sons Edwin and Theodor or Tewdor Mawr of whom came afterwards the Kings and Princes of Southwales In the year 984. Howel the son of Janaf King of Wales entered England with an army where he was fought and slain valiantly fighting This Howel had no son but his brethren reigned in his place Cadwallon the Son of Janaf After the death of Howel his Brother Cadwallon the second Son of Janaf took in hand the government of Northwales and first made War with Jonaval his Cofin the Son of Meyric and right heir to the Land and slew him but Edwal the youngest Brother escaped away secretly The year following Meredyth the Son of Owen King or Prince of Southwales with all his People entred into Northwales and in fight slew Cadwallon the son of Janaf and Meyric his Brother and conquered the land to himself wherein a man may see how God punished the wrong which Jago and Janaf the Sons of Edwal Voel did to their eldest brother Meyrick who was first disinherited and afterwards his eys put out and one of his Sons slain for first Janaf was imprisoned by Jago then Jago with his Son Constantine by Howel the Son of Ianaf and afterward the said Howel with his brethren Cadwallon and Meyric were slain and spoiled of their Lands Meredyth the Son of ap Howel Dha year 986 This Meredyth ap Owen havingslain Cadwallon obtained the Rule and government of Northwales in the year 986. Godfrid the Son of Haroald the third time entring the isle of Anglesey where having taken Lywarck the Son of Owen with two thousand prisoners besides he cruelly put out his eys whereupon Meredyth the Prince with the rest escaped and fled to Cardigan and the same year there was a great murrain of cattel throughout all Wales year 987 In the year 987. dyed Ianaf the Son of Edwal who had lived many years a private life The same year also dyed Owen the son of Howel Dha prince of Southwales This Owen had three Sons Eneon which dyed in his Fathers life time Lhywarck which lost both his eyes and Meredyth which as â—â—fore is declared had won Northwales and after his Fathers death took also into his possession all Southwales having no respect to his Brother Eneon his Sons Edwin and Theodor or Tewdor About the same time the Danes sailed from Hampton alongst the Sea coast The Tribute of the black Army spoiled Devonshire and Cornwall and so at last landed in Southwales and destroyed Saint Davids Lanbadarn Lhanrystid and Lhandydock which were all places of Religion and did so much hurt in the country besides that to be rid of them Meredyth was fain to agree with them and to give them a penny for every man within his land which was called the Tribute of the black Army year 989 The year 989. Owen the son of Dyfnwal was slain within a year after Meredith King of Wales destroyed the Town of Radnor at which time his Nephew Edwin the son of Encon having to his aid Duke Adelf and a great army of Englishmen and Danes spoiled all the land of Meredith in Southwales as Caerdigan Dynet Gwyr Kydwch and Saint Davids where Edwin took pledges of the chief men of those Countries In the mean time this Meredith with his people did spoil Glamorgan so that no place was free from Sword and fire but at the last Meredith and Edwin fell to an agreement and were made Friends Soon after Cadwalhon the son of Meredith dyed Meredith being thus imployed had so much to do in Southwales that Northwales lay open for the enemy which thing when the Danes perceived they arrived in Anglisey and destroyed the whole Isle Matth. West pag. 383. Jâ—a Castor 992. whereupon the Inhabitants of that country received Edwal the son of Meyric the right heir of Northwales for their Prince in the year 992. After these great troubles there followed within a year after such famine and scarcity in Southwales that many perished for want of food Edwal ap Meyric the son of Meredith This Edwal being in possession of the principality of Northwales studied to keep and defend his people from injuries and wrongs But Meredith gathered together all his power intending to recover again Northwales with whom Edwal met at Lhagwm and overthrew him in plain battel where Theodor or Tewdor Manor Meredith his Nephew was slain who left behinde him two Sons Rees and Rytherck and a Daughter called Elen. A little after this Swain the son of Haroald destroyed the Isle of Man and entring into Northwales slew Edwal the prince thereof who left behinde him a son called Jago In the year of Christ 998. the Danes came again to Saint Davids destroying all before them and there they slew Morgency or rather Vrgency Bishop of that See the same year also dyed Meredith the son of Owen King or Prince of Wales leaving behinde him one only Daughter called Angharad which was married to Lewellin ap Sitsylht and after his death to Convyn Hirdref or as other do think to Convyn ap Gwerystan who had children by either of them which was the cause of much war and mischief in Wales as shall appear hereafter Aedan the Son of Blegored The death of both these Princes forsomuch as Meredith had no Issue male and Edwal left behinde him a childe within years not able to take the charge of a Common-wealth did cause much trouble to ensue for in Northwales divers did aspire
shall find James King of England to have descended from the Welsh blood year 1054 In the year 1054 Gruffith the son of Rythrick ap Iestyn did gather a great army as well of strangers as of others against Gruffith ap Lhewelyn King or Prince of VVales but commonly called King of Northwales who detracting no time meeting him fought with him and slew him Shortly after Algar Earl of Chester being convicted of Treason against the King fled to Gruffith into VVales who gathered his power to revenge the Wrongs which he had received at the Englishmens hands who ever succoured his enemies against him Therefore he together vvith Algar entred Herefordshire and spoiled all the vvay vvith fire and svvord to the City whether all the people had fled and they boldly issued forth Earl Randulf being their leader and gave him battel which Gruffith wished for above any other things as he that had won five set battels and couragiously receiving his Enemies fought with them which fight was long and doubtfull till such time as Gruffith encouraged his people with the remembrance of the prowess and worthy Acts of the ancient Brittains their forefathers saying that they were the same enemies whose backs they had so often seen formerly which doubled their strength and force and so they pressed forwards that their foes were compelled to forsake the field and trust to their feet and thought to have taken the Town for their defence but Gruffith and his men pursued them so hard that they entred with them and after a great slaughter returned home with many worthy prisoners great triumph and rich spoiles leaving nothing in the Town but blood and ashes and the Walls razed to the ground There be some that think that King Edward by evil counsel as it is thought banished Algar the son of Earl Leofrike whereupon he got him into Ireland and there providing eighteen ships of Rovers returned and joyned himself with Gruffith King or Prince of Wales who both together invaded the Country of Mercia about Hereford where Earl Ranulph Earl of that Country who was Son to King Edwards Sister named Ioda by her first husband Walter de Maunt came against them with a great army and met them above two miles from Hereford where after a sore fight for the space of three houres Ranulph and his army were overcome and five hundred of them slain the rest being totally routed whom Gruffith and Algar pursued to Hereford and entring the Town set the Cathedral Church on fire and slew the Bishop named Leoger A barbarous act amongst Christians an Act fitter for Pagans then Christians with seven of the Canons spoyled and burnt the Town miserably whereupon King Edward being advertised hereof gathered an Army and sent Haroald the Son of Earl Godwin against them who pursuing the enemies to Northwales passed through Stradelwyd to Snowdon but Gruffith and Algor being afraid to meet Harâ—ald got them again into Southwales whereof Haroald having notice left one part of his army in Northwales to resist the enemies there and returning with the residue to Hereford caused a great Trench to be cast round about the Town with a high Rampire strongly fortifying the Gates of the same After this by means of a Parly had with Gruffith and Algar at a place called Beligelhag a peace was concluded whereupon Algar being pardoned by the King and restored again to his Earldome returned home to Chester About two years after Algar was accused again of Treason so that he was the second time exiled the land and repaired to his old friend Gruffith Prince of Northwales by whom he was joyfully received and restored again to his Earldome by the aid of certain strangers which came by chance from Norway whereupon King Edward being highly offended with Gruffith sent Haroald again with an army into Northwales to do revenge upon him who coming to Ruthlen burned the Pallace of Gruffith and his Ships and then returned to the King at Glocester Not long after these Transactions Roderick Son to Haroald King of Denmark came with a great army to Wales and there being friendly received by Gruffith joyning his power to King Gruffiths entred England and cruelly spoiled and burned great part of the Land but shortly after Roderick was compelled to return to his Ships and to sail to Denmark and Gruffith came to Wales loaden with spoiles Mr. Powel fol. 101. This year saith Mr. Powel died Owen the son of Gruffith ap Rytherick Also Haroald and his Brother Tosty by the procurement of Caradoc ap Gruffith ap Rytherick and others gathered a great Power and entred Southwales and subdued a great part thereof and wrought so with those that were about Gruffith the King that as soon as he had gathered his people in Northwales and began his journey to meet with Haroald he was cruelly and traterously slain by his own men and his head brought to Haroald who appointed and placed Meredith the son of Owen ap Edwin Prince and Ruler of Southwales and he with his brother Tosty returned home Some do report that Haroald about Rogation week by the Kings commandement went against the Welshmen and taking the sea sailed by Bristol round about the Coast compassing in a manner all Wales His brother Tosty that was Earl of Northumberland met him by appointment with an host of horsemen and so joyning together they destroyed the Countrey of Southwales in such sort that the Welshmen were compelled to submit themselves to deliver hostages and conditioned to pay the ancient Tribute which before time they had payd Southwales submits to the English The people of that Countrey because Gruffith their Prince fled at the coming of Haroald and left them to be a prey to the enemies hated him so that as soon as he returned again unto them they slew him and sent his head to Haroald which he sent to the King After whose death King Edward granted the Principality of Northwales to Blethyn and Rywalhon the sons of Convyn brethren to Gruffith by the Mothers side who did homage unto him for the same This Gruffiuh ap Lhewelyn governed Wales thirty four years valiantly and worthily he never fough but that he departed out of the field victorious he was gentle and affable to his Subjects and cruel to his foes beloved of the one and feared of the other liberal to strangers costly in apparrel and princely in all his doings and unworthy of that cruel death that the ambitious desire of Rule did provoke his unkinde Subjects and unnatural â—osins to prepare for so noble a Prince and so gentle a Master as he was Blethin and Riwalhon the Sons of Convyn After the decease of King or Prince Gruffith Meredith the son of Owen ap Edwin which Edwin was son as some Writers say to Howel Dha did take upon him the government of Southwales and Blethin and Riwalbon the sons of Convyn and half Brothers to King Gruffith ap Lhewelyn as they which were born of
Angharat daughter to Meredith King of Wales did govern Northwales Conan the son of Jago being all this time with his Father in law in Ireland Caradock ap Gruffith ap Rytheryc was the first that procured Haroald to come into Wales against Gruffith ap Lhewelyn hoping by him to attain unto the Government of Southwales but it fell ontotherwise for when Haroald understood that he should not get that which he looked for at the hands of Caradock which was a certain Lordship within Wales nigh unto Hereford and knowing also Caradoc to be a subtile and deceitfull man compounding with Meredith ap Owen for that Lordship he made him King or Prince of Southwales and banished Caradoc out of the Countrey Afterward Haroald having obtained that Lordship builded there a stately and princely house at a place called Portashlyth and divers times earnestly invited the King to come and see the same and at length the King being then at Glocester not far of granted him his request whereupon Haroald made such preparation as was most wonderfull and as much abused Soon after this the said Caradoc ap Gruffith came to the same house and to be revenged upon Haroald killed all the workmen and labourers that vvere at vvork and all the servants and people of Haroald that he could finde and defacing the vvork carried avvay those things that with great labour and expences had been brought thither and set out and beautified the building William commonly called the Conquerour was now King of England and Edrik Sylvaticus the son of Alfrike Earl of Mercia refusing to submit himself as ohers had done when he saw that the King was departed to Normandy rose against such as were left in his absence to keep the Land in obedience whereupon those that lay in the Castle of Hereford Richard Fitz Scroop and others oftentimes invaded his Lands and wasted the goods of his Tenants but as often as they came against him they alwaies lost some of their own men at length he calling to his aid the Kings of VVales Blethyn and Rywalhon wasted the Country of Hereford even to VVye bridge and then returned with great booty This year also 1068. Meredith and Ithel the sons of Gruffith ap Lhewelyn raised a strong army against Blethyn and Rywalhon Kings of Northwales and met with them at a place called Mechain where after a long fight there were slain upon the one part Ithel and upon the other Rywalhon and Meredith put to flight whom Blethyn pursued so straitly that he starved for cold and hunger upon the mountains and so Blethyn son of Convyn remained the only King of Powis and Northwales Carodoc the son of Gruffith ap Rytherck ap Jestyn caused a great number of Frenchmen for so the Brittish book calleth the Normans to enter Southwales to whom he joyned his power of Gwentland and gave Meredith the King of that countrey an overthrow and slew him upon the River Rympyn About this time the Normans brought great forces into Westwales by sea and destroyed Dynet and the Country of Caerdigan and carried away much spoil and did so likewise the year following Bleythyd Bishop of Menevia or Saint Davids died about this time and Sulien was Bishop in his place Radulf Earl of East Angles his Mother came out of Wales which was the cause of the Welshmens assisting him against William the Conquerour Matth. West lib. 2. fol. 6 Math. Parker p. 11. for Ranulf sent for many of his Mothers friends and kinsmen to come unto him meaning through their aid and procurement to get the Princes and people of VVales to joyn with him in his enterprise but VVilliam having notice of this plot and coming before he was sent for he hanged some of the VVelshmen among others put our the eyes of many and banished the rest In the year 1073. Blethyn ap Convin King of VVales was traiterously and cowardly murthered by Rees ap Owen and the Gentlemen of Ystrad Tywy after he had governed VVales thirteen years This man was very liberal and mercifull doing Justice and Equity all his Reign he had divers weomen and many children First Meredith by Haer daughter to Gythyn Lywarck and Cadogan by another woman Madâ—e and Ryrid by the third Jorwerth by the fourth Trahern the Son of Caradoc After the death of Blethyn Trahern ap Caradoc his cosin German took upon him the rule of Northwales and Rees ap Owen with Rytherck ap Caradoc did jontly rule Southwales Then Gruffith son to Conan son to Jago or James right Inheritour of Northwales came from Ireland with succour with his brethren Encumalhon King of Vltonia and Ranalht and Mathawn had delivered him and landed in the Isle of Môn or Anglesey and brought it to his Subjection At this time Kynwric ap Rynalbon a noble man of Maelor or Bromfield was slain in Northwales This year also Gronow and Lhewelin the sons of Cadogan ap Blethyn did joyn their powers with Caradoc ap Gruffith ap Rytherck to revenge their Grandfathers death and then fought at a place called Camdhwc where the Sons of Cadogan obtained the Victory shortly after Gruffith ap Conan passed over the water from Môn to the main land and Trabern ap Caradoc met with him at Bronyrew where Gruffith was put to flight and retired back to the Isle year 1074 In the year 1074. Rytherc ap Caradoc was slain by Treason of his own cosin German Meyrchaon ap Rees ap Rytherc and Rees ap Owen ruled Southwales alone Nevertheless the sons of Cadogan gathered their powers and came against him and fought with him the second time at Gwaynyttyd where he was put to flight but yet he gathered new forces and kept the land still Then Trahern ap Caradoc King of Northwales moves his forces against Rees who boldly met him with all the power of Southwales at a place called Pwlhgwttic where after long fighting Rees was put to slight and after great slaughter of his men he fled from place to place fearing all things like a stagg that had been lately chased which mistrusteth every noise but at the last he with his Brother Howel fell into the hands of Caradoc aâ— Gruffith who slew them both in revenge of the wise and noble Prince Blethyn ap Convyn At this time Sulien Arch-Bishop of Saint Davids did forsake his Bishoprick and Abraham was chosen Bishop in his place year 1077 In the year 1077. Rees the son of Theodore the son of Eneon the son of Owen the son of Howel Dha as right Inheritor to the Kingdome of Southwales claimed the same and the people received him with much joy and made him their Prince The next year Menevia was all spoiled and destroyed by strangers and Abraham the Bishop died after whose death Sulien was compelled to take the Bishoprick again In the year following Gruffith the son of Conan did bring a great Army of Irishmen and Scots into Wales and joyned with Rees ap Theodore as two right heirs of the
Bishop of Hereford and moreover complained that they had usurped on the jurisdiction of these places Gwhyr Cedwely Cantref Bychan Ystrad Yw and Ergeng upon deposition of 6 witnesses that all these were of the Diocess of Landaff they were so adjudged by the Popes definitive sentence who also writ unto the King and Archbishop to restore that right unto the Bishop of Landaff and to the Inhabitants to yield obedience to him and his successors as their Diocesan Howbeit how it cometh to pass I know not those places are now and long have been esteemed part of the Diocess of St. Davids and part of Hereford and none of them of Landaff This Bishop died beyond Sea travelling betwixt this and Rome anno 1133. Vacat sedes annos 6. 31 Vchtred that succeeded had a daugter married before he had orders to Jorworth ap Owen ap Caradoc Lord of Caerlbeon upon Vsk a great and mighty man in those parts he died an 1141. 32 Geffry died 1153. 33 Nicolas ap Gurgant died 1183. 34 William de Salso Marisco 35 Henry Prior of Burgavenni was Founder of 12 Prebends in the Church of Landaff he died 1218. 36 William Prior of Goldeliff in Monmothshire died January 28 an 1229. 37 Elis de Radnor died May the 6 1240. 38 William de Burgo Chaplain to King Henry the 3d. was consecrated the year 1244. and died June 11 1253. having lived blind 7 years before his death 39 John de la Ware Abbot of Margan died about the end of June 1253. 40 William de Radnor died January the 9 1265. 41 William de Brews died in the end of March 1287. he lyeth buried under a Marble engraven in the East end of the Church of Landaff towards the North wall Vacat sedes annos 9. 42 John de Monmoth Doctor of Divinity was consecrated Feb. 10. 1296. at Canterbury and died April 8 1323. he lyeth in the midst of the East end of the Church Celceuliere commonly called our Ladies Chappel under a flat Marble having a French inscription now somewhat defaced 43 John de Egliscliff a Fryer Preacher was consecrated at Rome and came to his Diocess of Landaff upon the eve of Trinity sunday 1223. he died at Lankadwaladar Jan. 2. 1346. and was buried at Caediff 44 Iohn Paschall Doctor of Divinity a Carmelite of Ipswich was a Gentleman born in Suffolk of a Family yet remaining there and brought up in the University of Cambridge by William Bateman Bishop of Norwich was made a titulary Bishop and his Suffragan by the name of Episcopus Scutariensis from that Imaginary See he was translated by the Pope to Landaff an 1347. died 1361. and was buried at Landaff he was a man of great learning and left divers Monuments thereof in writing behind him 45 Roger Cradoc a Fryer Minor 46 Thomas Rushook a Fryer Preacher and Doctor of Divinity was translated to Chichester 47 William de Betlesham made Bishop of Bethelem by the Pope was translated first to Landaff and after to Rochester 48 Edmund de Bromfield was a Dr. of Divinity and Monk at Burie where being known for a a man of a very pragmatical and stirring humour that he might not trouble them at home the Covent thought good to maintain him at Rome for the dispatch of their ordinary business there taking first a corporal Oath of him never to seek any office or preferment of their house without their privity and direction This Oath notwithstanding when shortly after it fell out that the Abbot died he found means that the Pope should intitle him to the Abbotship whereunto the Covent with the Kings good liking had now already elected another man far more meet called Iohn Tymworth For this bad kind of dealing as also because as those provisory Bulls had been forbidden by Parliament he was committed to the Tower and there lay prisoner a long time but in the end the Bishop of Landaff ut ante being translated to Rochester he was preferred to that See 49 Tydemannus Abbot of Beaulieu succeeded Bromfield and if I mistake not was that Tydemannus de Winchcomb that anno 1395 became Bishop of Worcester 50 Andrew Barret Doctor of Law 51 Iohn Burghyll a Frier Preacher being Bishop of Landaff and Confessour unto the King was translated to Liechfield in Sept. 1398. 52 Thomas Peverel a Carmelite and Doctor of Divinity was first Bishop of Ossery in Ireland translated thence to Landaff 1399 and thence to Worcester 1407. 53 Iohn la Zouche a Fryer Minor and Doctor of Divinity It should seem that this man built either a great part or else happily all of the house at Mathern near Chepstow The Bishops house of Matherne built the only house that is now left the Bishop if there be any such to put his head in his armes fixed in divers places of the walls and windows to my judgement import so much viz. Gules ten besants 432. and 1 a Canton Ermine encircled with a girdle of St. Francis to show his Order 54 Iohn Wellys was likewise a Minorite and Doctor of Divinity 55 Nicholas Ashbie Prior of Westminster 56 Iohn Hunden a Minorite Doctor of Divinity and Prior of Kings Langley 57 John Marshall Doctor of Divinity sometime Fellow of Merton Colledge in Oxford was consecrated 1479 and was I take it translated to London the year 1489. 58 John Ingleby sometime Prior of Sheen a Carthusian 59 John Smith Doctor of Divinity died October 16 1511. and was buried at Christ-Church in London in the Chapel of All-Saints on the North side of the Altar 60 Miles Salley sometimes Almoner to the Abbey of Abington and afterwarde Abbot of Eynsham 61 George de Attigna a Spaniard a Fryer Preacher and Doctor of Divinity was consecrated March the 8 1516. 62 Robert Holgate Doctor of Divinity was consecrated March the 25 1537. and 1544 was translated to York 63 Anthony Kitchin alias Dunstan Doctor of Divinity and sometimes Abbot of Eynsham was consecrated May 3 1545. and enduring all the tempestuous changes that hapned in the mean time continued till the fifth year of Queen Elizabeth and then died and high time having first so impoverished the Bishoprick by unreasonable demises of whatsoever was demiseable that there was no great cause he should live any longer He is called Kitchin though he might have rather been called Schullian yet indeed he made his Church a Kitchin and like a Schullian swept all away leaving poor Daff without Lan or land Sedes vacabat annos 3. 64 Hugh Jones Batchelour of Law was made Bishop May the 5 1556. 65 William Blethyn Batchelour of Law was appointed Bishop April the 17 1575. I observe few Families sprung from Bishops to prosper or continue long yet such as do in my judgement should not be so averse as to eradicate all spiritual function 66 Gervage Babington Doctor of Divinity was placed in that See Aug. 29 1591. from thence translated to Exceter and after to Worcester 67 William Morgan Doctor in Divinity was appointed
great Army to Caerdigan and first he fortified the Castle of Stratmeryc and afterwards the Castle of Humphrey of Dyny of Dynerth and Lhanristyd when these Castles were well manned and fortified VValter Clifford who had the Castle of Lhanyndhyfir made a road to the roads of Rees and returned with a booty after the slaughter of some of Rees his men Upon this Rees sent to the King to complain and to have a Redress who had only fair words and nothing else for the King winked at the faults of the Englishmen and Normans and punished the Welshmen cruelly Rees seeing this begirt the Castle of Lhanyndhyfri and in short space wan it And Enedon the son of Anarawd Rees brothers son being a lusty Gentleman and desirous to make his Countrey free from servitude and perceiving his Unkle to be discharged of his Oath to the King laid siege to the Castle of Humphrey and by force wan it putting the whole Garrison to the sword wherein he found Horses and Armour to furnish a great number of men Likewise Rees seeing he could enjoy no part of his inheritance but what he obtained by the sword gathered his power and entred Cardigan left not a Castle standing in the whole Countrey of those which his enemies had fortified and so brought all under his subjection Wherewith the King being highly offended returned to South Wales and when he saw he could do no good he suffered Rees to enjoy all that he had gotten and took pledges of him to keep the peace in his absence and then returning into England he sailed into Normandy and made Peace with the French King But the next year Rees Prince of South Wales did lead his power to Dynet and destroyed all the Castles that the Normans had fortified there and afterward laid siege to Caermarthyn which when Reignold the Earl of Bristoll the Kings base son heard he called to him the Earl of Clare and his brother in law Cadwalader the brother of Prince Owen with Howell and Conan Prince Owens sons and two other Earls and came to raise the siege with a great Army whose coming Rees stayed not but betook him to the Mountains called Kefu Rester and there kept himself and they camped at Dynwyl hîc and built a Castle there who after they could not heard of Rees returned home without doing any notable act year 1160 In the year 1160 dyed Madoc ap Meredith ap Blethyn Prince of Powis at Winchester This man was ever the King of Englands friend and was one that feared God and relieved the poor his body was conveyed honourably to Powis and buryed in Mynot He had by his wife Susanna the daughter of Gruffith ap Conan Prince of Northwales three sons Gruffith Maylor Owen Elise and a daughter also called Marred he had base sons Owen Brogynton Kynric Evelh and Endon Evelh which base sons were not basely esteemed for with the other they had part of their Fathers inheritance and so had others through Wales if they were stout and of noble courage And here I think it convenient to declare how Powis land came to be divided into so many parcels and thereby weakned and brought under the Normans before the rest of Wales Meredyth son to Blethyn ap Convyn Prince of Powis had two sons Madoc of whom we spake and Gruffith between whom Powis was divided Madoc had that part which was called Powis Vadoc which part again was subdivided into three parts betwixt his three sons Gruffith and Maylor had Bromfield Yale Hope Dale Manhewdwy Mochnant ù Rhayard Chirk Glynlhayth and Glyndoverdwy Owen Vachan had Mechain Iscoyd And Owen Brogynton had Dynmael and Edeyrneon The other part of Powis called after Powis Wenwynwyn was the part of Gruffith ap Meredyth after whose death his son called Owen Civilioc enjoyed it The Lordship of Powis before King Offa's time reached Eastward to the Rivers Dee and Severn from a right line from the end of Broxen hills to Salop with all the Country betwen Wy and Severne whereof Brochwel Yscithroc was possessed but after the making of Offa's ditch the plain Country toward Salop being inhabited by Saxons and Normans Powis was in length from Pulford bridge Northeast to the confines of Caerdiganshire in the parish of Lhanguric in the Southwest and in breadth from the furthest part of Cyvilioc Westwards to Elsmere on the Eastside This Country or principality of Powis was appointed by Roderike the great for the portion of his third sons Anarawd and so continued entirely untill the death of Blethyn ap Convyn After whom although the Dominion was diminished by limiting parts in severality amongst his sons Meredyth and Cadogan yet at length it came wholy to the possession of Meredyth ap Blethyn who had issue two sons Madoc and Gruffith between whom the said Dominion was divided Madoc married Susan the daughter of Gruffith ap Conan Prince of Northwales and had that part which was after called from his name Powis Vadoc which dominion and signiory was divided and so forth see Mr. Powel fol. 216. The same year Cadwalhon ap Madoc ap Ednerth was taken by his brother Eneon Clyd and delivered to Owen Prince of Northwales A help to English History printed by Abel Roper MDCIL who sent him to the Kings Officers to be imprisoned at VVinchester from whence he escaped presently after and came to his country The year next following dyed Meiric Bishop of Bangor Bangor another of the Bishopricks of VVales is of antient standing but by whom founded saith this Author not yet known the Cathedral there is dedicated by the name of St Daniel who was Bishop there about the year 516 Bangor which being cruelly defaced by the wretched Rebel Owen Glendour was afterward repaired by Henry Dean who was once there Bishop The ruine of this bishoprick came in the time of bishop Bulkhey a blessed Reformer questionlesse who not content to alienate and let out lands Sacriledge by miracle punished made a sale also of the bells and going to the Seashore to see them shipt in his return was stricken with a suddain blindnesse This Diocess containeth in it the entire Country of Carnarvon wherein Bangor standeth and the whole Isle of Anglesey together with parts of Denbigh Merioneth and Mongomery and in them to the number of 107 Parishes whereof 36 impropriated It hath moreover in it three Archdeaconries viz. of Bangor Anglesey and Merioneth one of which is added to the bishoprick for support thereof This Bishoprick was valued in the Kings books 131 l. 16 s. 4d. and answereth for the Clergies tenth 151 l. 14s 3d. q. Bishops of Bangor An. Ch.  516 1 St. Daniel  2 Hernaeus translated to Ely 1120 3 David 1139 4 Maurituis  5 Gulielmus  6 Guido alias Gwianus 1195 7 Albanus 1197 8 Robertus de Salopia 1215 9 Caducan alias Cadogan 1236 10 Howel 1267 11 Richardus 1306 12 Anianus  13 Cadogan II. 1306 14 Griffith 1320 15 Lodovicus 1334 16
Gwentland to a feast at his Castle of Abergavenny which he had received of them by composition and they mistrusting no harm came thither but like a Traytor and a Murtherer he had a great number of armed men within the Castle which fell upon this Lord and the rest Hol. pag 439. Marthi West lib. 2. and without any mercy or remorse put them to the sword and forthwith went to Silsyts house being not far from thence and took his wife and slew Cadwalader his son before his mothers face and destroyed the house and this was a lamentable day to all Gwent and a lesson to all men to take heed of a reconciled enemy This William Lord Bruse having the Welshmen within his Castle of Abergavenny to seek a quarrel propounded unto them certain Articles to be by them kept and performed among other things that none of them should at any time carry about them in their journey either Bow or Sword for the observing of the which he would have had them to be sworn which they refused to do Whereupon he falling out with them called his men which were ready for that purpose and caused them all to be murdered and when that deed was done to cloak this Treason with some reasonable excuse he caused it to be reported abroad that this he did in the revenge of the death of his unkle Henry de Hereford whom they on an Easter even before had slain In North Wales Roderike brake his brothers prison and escaping came to Anglesey where all the Countrey received him for their Lord because they abhorred the ingratitude of the Prince who unnaturally had disinherited all his brethren in boldness of his brother in Law the King This Roderike also was received as Lord and Prince in all the Country about the River of Conwey Then Prince David fled over Conwey and there remained for a time This year died Cadelh the son of Gruffith ap Rees and brother to the Lord Rees after long sickness and was honourably enterred at Stratflur The next year died David Fitz Girald Bishop of Menevia and Peirs was installed in his place This year the Lord Rees Prince of South Wales made a great feast at Christ-mass a time now almost forgot if not denied in the Castle of Aberteini which feast he caused to be proclaimed through all Brittain long before A sumptuous Invitation of P. Rees and thither came many strangers which were honourably entertained so that no man departed discontended and among deeds of Arms and other Courtly pastimes Rees caused all the Poets of Wales which are makers of Songs and Recorders of Gentlemens Pedegrees and Armes of whom every one is intituled Bardh in Latine Bardus to come thither and provided chairs for them to sit in the Hall where they should dispute together and try their cunning and gift in their faculties where great rewards and gifts were appointed for the Victors amongst whom they of North Wales wan the prize and among the Musicians Reeses own houshold-servants were accounted best Shortly after Eneon Clyt and Morgan ap Meredyth were both slain by Treason of the Normans who inhabited the Marches At this time the Lord Rees built the Castle of Rayder Gwy that is to say The Fall of Wye Rayder Gwy Castle built for the River of Wye falleth there over a high Rock About this time the sons of Conan ap Owen Gwyneth made war against him then also Cadwalhon the brother of Owen Gwyneth and unkle to David and Roderike who had fled to the King for succour as he was conveyed home by the Kings men to enjoy his patrimony was cruelly murthered by the way and found those whom he imagined to be his assistants and friends to be indeed Traytors and Butchers This year the bones of K. Arthur and Queen Gwenhonar his wife were found in the Isle of Avilon without the Abby of Glastenbury 15 foot within the earth in a hollow Elder-tree but of this formerly And now Ranulph de Poer with a great number of Gentlemen was slain by certain young men of Gwentland Giral Cam. This Ranulph was Sheriff of Herefordshire as saith Girald whose death the same Authour seemeth to impute unto himself for his cruel and unreasonable dealing with the Welsh but the King construed it otherwayes who being sore incensed against them assembled a mighty Army and came with the same to Worcester meaning to invade Wales The Prince South Wales becomes liege man to the K. of Engl. but the Lord Rees ap Gruffith fearing the Kings puissance thus bent against him and his Countrey men came by safe conduct unto Worcester where submitting himself he sware fealty to the King and became his liege-man promising to bring his son and nephews to him for Pledges But when according to his promise he would have brought them they remembring how the other Pledges were before used refused to go with him and so the matter rested for that time About this time Cadwalader the son of Lord Rees was slain privily in West Wales and buried in Twy Gw yn The next year Owen Vachan the son of Madoc ap Meredyth was slain in the Castle of Carregona hard by Oswestred in the night time by Gwenwynwyn and Cadwalhon the son of Owen Cyvelioc And shortly after Lhewelin son to Cadwalhon ap Gruffith ap Conan was taken and had his eyes put out The Visitation made by the Archb. of Canterbury into Wales Many noble Welshmen list themselves for the Holy land 1188. Tenbie destroyed About the year 1187. Baldwine Archbishop of Canterbury having in his company Giraldus Cambrensis Arch-Archdeacon of Brecon visited that Countrey whom the Clergy of Wales began to resist alledging the liberties and priviledges of their Metropolitan Church of St. David but they prevailed not In this visitation he perswaded which Giraldus describeth calling his Book Itinerarium Cambriae and exhorted as many as ever he could to take the Cross and to vow the voyage against the Saracens whereunto he perswaded many of the Nobles of Wales as appeareth by the same Giraldus In the year 1188. Maelgon son to Lord Rees brought his Army against Tenbie and by plain force wan the Town and spoiling the same burned it to ashes This Lord was fair and comely of person honest and just beloved of his friends and feared of his foes against whom especially the Flemmings he atchieved divers victories This year also the Lord Rees gathered all his strength and wan the Castles of Seynclere Abercorran and Lhanstephen and brought all the whole Countrey under his subjection taking Maelgon his son The father imprisoneth his son in whom remained all the hope of South Wales whom he kept in prison In the year following Rees did build the Castle of Chewely and Gwenlhian his daughter the fairest and goodliest woman of all Wales died At this time also Gruffith Mailor Lord of Bromfield a noble man and wise and one that in liberality passed all the Lords and
did now move many to laugh at those things who seeing that costly and sumptuous building to be laid even with the earth said that Hubert was a prophet and much more then a prophet so much out of Paris About the year 1230 Lhewelyn the son of Maelgon deceased and was entombed at Conwey Adultery punished by death Abergaveny businesse revenged Prince Lhewelin caused William Bruse to be hanged being as t is reported taken in adultery with his wife who was the Sister of K. Henry About this time Maelgon was buried at Stratflur whose patrimony young Maelgen his son inherited after his father This year the King led a great army to Wales and after he had remained in the Marshes a while he returned into England and left Hubert de Burge Earle of Kent with his army to defend the Marshes and hereby his spies understood where certain Welshmen had entred the Marshes to plunder and set upon them by Montgomery killing many of them The Prince herewith being much troubled gathered his forces and to revenge his men A gallant revenge entering the Marshes he destroyed all with fire and sword who withstood him and burnt the Castles and Garrisons without mercy year 1231 and first the Castle of Montgomery for the Earle withdrew himself for fear then the castle of Radnor Aberhodny Rayader Gwy and so he went to Caerlheon and after long fight and loss of many of his men got the Town and left nothing therein but Ashes the like he did with the Castles of Neth and Cydwely The utter destruction of Caerlheon Therefore the King came to Hereford with a mighty army and sent a great number of his nobles with the most part of his army to VVales who using the direction of a Fryer of Cymer met with a company of VVelshmen which at the first encounter sled whom the Englishmen followed to the Straits where the ambushments lay which fell upon them A Fryer ventureth his life in behalf of his country Maud Castle built by K. Henry the III. The Welsh well enough required for deâ—erring their own Countrymen and slew a great number of the best Souldiers the rest escaped by flight Therefore the King would have burnt the house of Cymer yet the Prior redeemed it by paying 300 marks and so the King returned into England after he had built the Castle of Maud whilst these things were in agitation Maelgon the son of Maelgon ap Rees laidsiege to Aberteini and got the Town and destroyed it to the Castle gates putting all the inhabitants to the sword And shortly after he returned with his cozen Owen son to Gruffith ap Rees with certain of the Princes Captains and brake down the bridge upon the River Teini and laid siege to the Castle and with engines and mines threw down the same and so with much honour returned home The next year this gallant and heroick Brittain Lhewelyn entered England and brought back a rich spoyle both of goods cattel and men which forced the King to impose a subsidy to subdue the Brittains About this time John Earle of Chester surnamed Le Scot from the place of his birth Mr Brook York Herald fol. â—5 The murder at Abergaveny punished in the Family of de Bruse Earl of Huntington and Cambridge c. son of David brother to the King of Scots who bore for his armes Or three garbs Gules married Helin daughter to Lhewelin P. of Northwales also Ephraim Bishop of Lhanelwy died and John de Bruse falling off his horse his foot sticking fast in the stirrup was drag'd till he dyed most miserably The year following Richard E. of Cornwal fortified the Castle of Radnor which the Prince had lately destroyed Shortly after Prince Lhewelin came with an army to Brecknock and destroyed all the towns and castles of the Country and lay a moneth at the siege of the Castle of Brecknock P. Lhewelin a scourge to the English adherents but yet went without it and burning the town retreated home with great plunder In his journey by the way he burned the Town of Clun and recovered all the Country called Diffrin Teneidiat which was the possession of John Fitz Allen but he could not get the Castle After that he overthrew the Red Castle in Powis now the house of the Right Honourable Sir Percy Herbert Lord Powis a right worthy Gentleman Red castle in Montgomery shire a Garrison formerly for the Parliament and at this present and burned the town of Oswestre and so came home And about this time Richard Marshal fell at variance with the King who with Huber de Burge that escaped out of the castle of Devises where the Bishop of Winchester intended to have starved him came to Wales and joyned with the prince against the King Then the Earle with Owen ap Gruffith ap Rees came to Menevia or St. Davids The English with the Welsh against their King Abergavenny with other Castles taken K. Henry by Grismont lost 500. Horse and killed and spoiled all the Kings Friends within the Town Also Maelgon and Rees Gryc with the power of the prince joyned with them who in that voyage wan all these Castles Caerdiff Abergaveny Pencelhy Blaynlhefyini and Bwlchy Dynet which they razed all except Caerdif This so incensed the King that he raised a mighty army as well Flemmings Normans and Gascoines and Englishmen and entred VVales thinking to destroy the whole Country and encamped at Grismont where the Earle with the power of Wales encamped hard by him and as the Kings men would have entred further they were met withall and lost 500 horse and so upon better consideration returned home after whose departure the Earl with the power aforesaid lay before Caermarthyn three moneths but it was so manfully defended that they went without it and at last there came in the Kings ships and manned and victualed the town which caused the besiegers to rayse their siege and depart About this time Rees Gryc Son to the Lord or prince Rees dyed at Lhandeilo vawr and was buried honourably by his Father at St. Davids and then also Maelgon the son of Maelgon finished the Castle of Tresilan which his father had begun John of Mermeth forced to â—y In the year 1234. John Lord Monumetensis a noble warriour Captain or General of the Kings Army being made Ward of the marches of Wales levied a power and came against Earl Marshall and the Welshmen but when he had once entred Wales he came back in post leaving his Men for the most part slain and taken behind Maâ— Paris p. 520. This History is reported by Mathew Paris after this manner About the feast of St. John Baptist John of Monmoth a noble and expert warriour who was with the King in his wars in Wales gathered a great army meaning to invade the Earl Marshal at unawares but he being certifi'd thereof hid himself in a certain wood by the which lay the way of his Enemies
chased to their ships and thus the King being not able to do any more Mat Paris p. 917. manned and victualled his Castles and so returned home Of this Voyage a certain Nobleman being then in the Kings Camp wrote thus to his friend about the end of Septemb. 1245. year 1245 The King with his army lyeth at Gannock fortifying of that Strong Castle and we lie in our Tents thereby Gannoc castle watching fasting praying and freezing with cold we watch for fear of the Welshmen who are wont to invade and come upon us in the night time we fast for want of meat for the half penny loaf is worth five pence The Welshmen teach the Englishmen three excellent vertues of watching fasting praying we pray to God to send us home again speedily we starve for cold wanting our winter Garments and having no more but a thin linnen cloth betwixt us and the wind there is an arme of the sea under the Castle whereunto the tide cometh and many ships come up the haven thither and bring victuals to the Camp from Ireland and Chester this arme of the sea lyeth betwixt us and Snowdon where the Welshmen abide now and is about a flight shot over when the tide is in There came to the mouth of that haven a certain ship from Ireland with victuals to be sold upon Munday before Michaelmas day which being negligently look't unto Maâ— Par. p. 924. was set on drie ground at the low ebb at the further side of the water over against the Castle which thing when the Welshmen saw they came down from the hills and assaulted the vessel being now upon drie ground whereupon we on the otherside beholding the same sent over by boats 300 Welshmen of the borders of Cheshire and Shropshire with certain Archers and armed men to the rescue of the said ship whereupon the Natives withdrew to their accustomed places in the rocks and woods whom our men followed as far as two miles being on foot by reason they could transport no horses and slew many of them Our men being over geeedy and covetous spoiled the Abbey of Aberconwey and burned all the houses of Office belonging to the same Which doing caused the Welshmen to run thither Aberâ—onwey Abbey plundered by the English who like desperate men set upon our Souldiers being loaden with spoyles and slew a great number of them following the rest to the water side of whom some got to the boats and so escaped and some cast themselves into the water and were drowned and such as they took they hanged and beheaded every one In this conflict we lost many of our men The Welsh revenge the sacriledge especially of those that were under the conduct of Richard Earle of Cornwal and Sr. Alen Buscel Sr. Adam de Maio Sr. Geffry Estuemy one Raymond a Gascoyne whom the King highly fancied and divers others besides 100. of common Soldiers In the mean time Sr. Walter Bisset worthily defended the said ship untill the tide came and then came away with the same manfully wherein there were 60 Tuns of wine besides other provision c. Many other things are contained in the said writing of the hard shifts that we made in the Kings camp for victuals and the dearth of all things that were to be eaten In the beginning of the year 1246. David Prince of Wales after he had gotten the love of his subjects and atchived many notable victories dyed and was buryed at Conwey by his father after he had ruled Wales five years leaving no issue of his body to the great discomfort of the Land Mr. Mills speaking of this David saith he was disquieted with a number of cares in his life time he wasted and destroyed his Country he did many slaughters and after perjury and killing of his brother was overwearied with sundry tribulations He left Wales most miserably desolate and disquiet so as they found this saying true Every Kingdom divided in it self shall be made desolate he caused the Nobles to swear fealty unto him and so continued Prince 6. years and died Anno 1246. Lhewelyn and Owen the sons of Gruffith ap Lhewelyn When all the Lords and Barons of Wales understood of the death of their prince they came together and called for Lhewelin and Owen Goch the sons of Gruffith son to Prince Lhewelyn brother to David as next Inheritors for they esteemed not Roger Mortimer son to Gladis Râ—g Mortimer right heir put by his right sister to David and right inheritor by order of Law and did them homage who divided the principality betwixt them two The King hearing of the death of prince David sent one Nicholas de Miles as Justice of Southwals to Caermarthin and with him in commission Meredyth ap Rees Gryc K. H. 3. makes another attempt against Wales but in vain and Meredyth ap Owen ap Gruffith to dis-inherit Maelgon ap Vachan of all his lands wherefore the said Maelgon fled to the princes into Northwales for succour with Howel ap Meredith whom the Earle of Clare had by force spoyled of all his lands in Glamorgan against whom the King came with a great army who after he had remained a while in the Country and could do no good returned home again The Prince of Northwales was a superiour prince of all Wales to whom the other princes of Southwales and Powis did pay a certain tribute yearly as appeareth by lawes of Howel Dha and in divers places of this history and was the right heir of Cadwalader as is evident by all writers whose line of the heir male from Roden Mawr endeth in this David the son of Lhewelin the son of Jorwerth the son of Owen Gwineth the son of Gruffith the son of Conan the son of Jago the son of Edwal the son of Meiric the son of Edwal Voel the son of Anarawd the son of Roderi Mawr the son of Eselht the daughter and sole heir of Conan Tindathwy the son of Roderike Molwynoc the son of Edwal Ywrich the son of Cadwalader the last King of the Brittains Lhewelin ap Jorwerth prince of Northwales father to David married two wives the first Jone Daughter of K. John by whom he had David who dyed without issue and Gladis married to Mortimer from which match the Kings of England are descended by the mothers side from Cadwalader About this time Harold King of Man came to the Court and did homage to K. Henry M. Paris p. 938 The K. of Man doth homage to the K. of England and he dubbed him Knight the Summer following Rees Vachan son to Rees Mechyl got the Castle of Carvec Cynnen which his mother of meer hatred conceived against him had delivered to the Englishmen The Abbots of Conwey and Stratflur made sute to the King for the body of Gruffith ap Lhewelyn which he granted unto them and they conveyed it unto Conwey where he was honourably buryed In the year 1254.
being not able to retreat Great scarcity in England for want of commerce with Wales upon the suddain were almost all slain At this time there was great scarcity of Beeves and horses in England whereof they were wont to have many thousands yearly out of Wales and all the marches were made as a desolate and desert place The next spring all the Nobles of Wales came together and sware to defend their Country to death and never to forsake one another and that upon pain of cursing but shortly after Meredyth ap Rees of Southwales A subsidy demanded to conquer Wales not regarding his oath served the King Then the King called a Parliament for a subsidy to Wales when he had so many losses and of late all the Country of Pembrock burnt and spoiled where the Welshmen had found salt plentifully which they lacked in the which Parliament no Subsidy was granted Mat. Paâ—is fol. 1807. Shortly after the same Parliament by propagation was called at Oxford where the Lords of Wales offered to be tryed by the law for any offence they had committed against the King iâ—iustly To this patrick the Lordship of Cydwely was given if he could win it Easie to give l â—ge thongs out of another mans hide Trea hery revenged by the Welsh but Edward would not hear of it but sent one Patrick de Canton as Lieutenant for the King to Caermarthyn and with him Meredyth ap Rees and this Patrick desired to speak upon peace with the Princes Councel whereupon the Prince meaning good faith sent his brother whom he had set at liberty with Meredyeh ap Owen and Rees ap Rees to Emlyn to treat with them of peace but Patrick meaning to entrap them laid an ambushment of Men armed by the way and as they should have met these miscreants fell upon the Welsh and slew a great number of them but the Lords which escaped raised the Country forthwith and followed Patrick and slew him and the most part of all his men And after this the Prince desirous of peace and quietness to redeem the same and to end all troubles and to purchase the Kings good will offered the King 4000 marks and to his son 300. and to the Queen 200. to have peace but the King answered What is this to our losses and refused it It appeareth by the records in the Tower that about this time to wit An. 43. Hen. 3. there was a commission to William Bishop of Worcester John Mansel Treasurer of York the Kings Chaplain and Peter de Montfort to conclude a peace with the Welshmen but it is like there was nothing done to any effect in that behalfe for the war continued still Notwithstanding I find by Mathew Westminster that there was a certain truce agreed upon between the King and the Welshmen for a year I read also in the same Author that the Bishop of Bangor was this year about Michaelmas sent from Lhewelyn the Prince and all the Barons of Wales to the King to desire peace at his hands and to offer unto him the summe of 16000. pound for the same so that he would grant the Welsh to have all their matters heard and determined at Chester as they were wont to have and to suffer them to enjoy the lawes and customes of their own Country but what answer the Bishop brought again the said Author maketh no mention The year 1260. Prince Lhewelyn destroyed the lands of Sr. Roger Mortimer because he contrary to his oath maintained the Kings quarrel and took from him all Buelht saving the Castle which the Princes men got by night without bloodshed Aber. P. Lhewelyns Court or Palace and therein much ammunition and so after the Prince had passed through all Southwales he returned to his house at Aber betwixt Conwey and Bangor The year following died Owen ap Meredyth Lord of Cydewen and this summer certain of the Princes men surprised the Castle of Sr. Roger Mortimer in Melienyth and slew the garrison taking Howel ap Meyric the Captain thereof with his wife and children and the Princes Lieutenant came and destroyed it Then Sr. Roger Mortimer hearing this came with a great strength of Lords and Knights to Melienyth whether the Prince came also and Sr. Roger kept himself within the walls of the broken Castle and sent to the Prince for licence to depart without hurt the Prince having his Enemie within his power A most Christian and heroick act of Lhewelyn took compassion upon him because he was his cozen and suffered him to depart with his people without hurt from thence the Prince went to Brecknock at the request of the people of that Country which swore fidelity unto him and so returned to Northwales Prince Lhewelyn being confederate with the Barons against the King destroyed the Earldom of Chester and raised two of Edwards Castles Tygannwy and Deserth and thither came Edward but did nothing to speak of This year John Strange the younger being Constable of Montgomery came with a great number of Merchers by night through Ceril to Cydewen which when the Countrymen understood they gathered themselves together and slew 200. of his Men but he escaped with his men back again Shortly after the Merchers and the Welshmen met neer Clun Rara est concordia franum where the English had the victory and slew many of the Welsh At this time David the Princes brother whom he had set at liberty forsook him and succoured his foes with all his power Then Gruffith ap Gwenwynwyn got the Castle of Molde and raised it At this time died Meredyth ap Owen the defender of Southwales The Year ensuing King Henry led a great army towards Wales and by the means of Olobonus the Popes Legate there was a peace concluded betwixt the King and the Prince at Montgomery Castle for the which the Prince gave unto the King 30000. marks and the King granted the Prince a Charter to receive from thenceforth homage fealty of all the Nobility and Barons of Wales saving one so that all the aforesaid Barons should ever after hold of the Prince as their Leige Lord and he to be called and written from thenceforth Prince of Wales and in witness of this the King put his seal and hand to the said Charter which was likewise confirmed by the authority of the Pope The year after this dyed Grono ap Ednyvet Vachan a Noble man and chief of the Princes Councel In the year 1270. dyed Gruffith Lord of Bromfield and was buried at Vale Crucis and here endeth the Brittish copy At this place leaveth the Brittish Copy Mr. Lhoyd and writeth no further of the end of this Prince but leaveth him at the highest and most honourable stay that any Prince of Wales was in of many years before The writer peradventure being ashamed to declare the utter fall and ruine of his Countrymen whereunto their own pride and discord did bring them as it doth evidently appear
to him that searcheth out their Histories but I intending to finish the History during the Government of the Brittains have sought out in other Chronicles written in the Latine tongue especially in the Chronicle of Nicholas Trivet King Hen 3. dyeth who wrote from the begining of the raign of King Stephen to the Coronation of Edward the second and such other as much as I could find concerning this matter In the year 1272. dyed King Henry the third and Edward his Son coming from the holy Land two years after was crowned at Westminster King of England to which Coronation the Prince of Wales refused to come although he was sent for alledging for his excuse that he had offended many Noblemen of England and therefore would not come in danger without he had for pledges the Kings brother with the Earl of Glocester and Robert Burnell Chief Justice of England wherewith the King was highly displeased year 1274 King Edward could never brook P. Lhewelyn since the time that he was compelled to flight by him at their meeting in the Marches as before Thom. Walsh on the other side Lhewelyn liked no better of the King then the King did of him again those Noblemen who for their disobedience were dis-inherited by Lhewelyn were received and entertained by King Edward which things caused the Prince to fear some evil practice by those and other such as hated him if he should have been at the Kings Coronation to do his homage and fealty according to the writ directed unto him in that behalfe as appeareth by an instrument sent by the said Prince to Robert Kilwarby Archbishop of Canterbury the Archbishop of Yorke and other Bishops sitting then at their Convocation in the new Temple at London Anno. 1275. wherein the causes of this war are contained which instrument it self as it was then sent is extant to this day written in parchment with the Princes great seal thereunto appendant which I have seen saith this Author and copied out of the Original verbatim Mr. Lhoyd being then in the custody of Thomas Yale Doctor of Law of late Dean of the Arches a great searcher and preserver of the antiquities of Wales which I thought convenient here to lay down for the fuller understanding of this History Reverendissimis in Christo Patribus Dominis Roberto Dei gratia Archiepiscopo Cant. totius Angliae Primati Archiepis Eborum ac eorum suffraganis c. To the most Reverend Fathers in Christ and Lords Robert Archbishop of Canterbury Primate of England and the Archbishop of Yorke and their Suffragans being now together at London in Councel Their devote Son Lhewelyn Prince of Wales and Lord of Snowdon greeting with due Obedience Reverence and Honour in all things Be it known unto your reverend Father-hoods that where heretofore contention and discord whereof war followed and long continued arose betwixt the King of Noble memory Henry King of England of the one party and us of the other party the same contentions and strife were at the last appeased by authority of the See Apostolick and means of the reverend Father Lord Otobanus Deacon and Cardinal of St. Adrian Legate into England as it appeareth in the form of Treaty and Peace betwixt the said King and Edward his first begotten Son Lord Edward now King of England and their Successors on the one party and us and our Successors on the other party by the corporal Oath of both parties assured Which form of peace was committed to writing with the said Legate with the seal of the said King and the seal of the said Lord Edward now King and with our seal also in the which peace it is contained amongst other things as you do well know as we believe that we and our Successors should hold of the King and his Successors the Principality of Wales So that all Welsh Barons should hold their Baronies and Lands of us and our Successors in Capite and should do homage and fealty to us and to our heirs one Baron excepted for the which we and our Successors should do homage and fealty to the Lord the King and his Successors It is further contained in the same peace that neither the said King nor his Successors should receive any of our Enemies or any running from us or our Successors nor should help or maintain any such against us or our Successors The which all are contained in the form of peace the Tenor whereof the Reverend Fathers of Strata Florida and Aberconwey bearers hereof can shew you But see Reverend Fathers the Lord Edward now King of England after the said peace taketh into his hands certain Barons Lands in Wales of which they and their Ancestors have been long possessed and keepeth a Barony in his hands which should be ours by the form of peace other Barons of our Land being from us fugitives runing to him he keepeth helpeth and maintaineth David ap Gruffith and Gruffith ap Gwenwynwyn who purposed our death and destruction Notwithstanding that since their departure they have robbed within our Land committed slaughter and burning of houses do daily the like against the peace aforesaid and although we have often sent our griefs and complaints by solemn messengers to the said Noble Lord Edward as well before he was King as since yet unto this day he never did any redress therein also that which is more perilous he called us unto a place not to us safe amongst our deadly Enemies our fugitives and fellons and their spies and murderers to do him homage and fealty to which place we can no wayes come without danger of our body especially seeing our Enemies above said to be in that place at the Kings table and sometimes in Councel and openly brag themselves And though lawfull and reasonable excuses were alledged by our messengres before the King and his Councel why the place was not safe nor indifferent yet he refused to allow or appoint any other place indifferent for us to do homage and fealty which we were and are ready to do unto him in any safe place by him to be appointed if he will appoint any and to perform the other articles of the peace concluded and sworn And for that it pleaseth him not to come to any place where we could with safety do him homage we were suiters to him to send any from him to receive our oath and homage untill it pleased him to appoint a place where we shall do our homage to him personally the which thing he utterly denyed to do We therefore beseech your Father-hoods earnestly that it may please you to consider what danger should happen to the people both of England and of Wales by reason of the breach of Covenants of peace abovesaid if now wars and discord should follow which God forbid attending and calling to remembrance the prohibition of the Holy Father the Pope lately in the Councel at Lyons that no war should be moved amongst Christians least thereby the
affairs of the holy Land should be neglected that it would please you also to help with your Councel with the Lord and King that he would use us and order us according to the peace agreed upon the which we will no way infringe And if he will not hearken to your Counsel therein which God forbid that you will hold us excused for we will no waies as much as lieth in us procure the trouble and disquietness of the Realm And if it may please you to give credit to our messengers which we do send to the King at the day by him to us appointed to alledge our lawful excuses in those things which they by mouth shall on our part shew unto You resting to do Your will and pleasure if it please You to write again Dated at Talybont the eight Day of October Anno 1275. year 1277 Shortly after the King came to Chester Thom. Walsh fol. 6. Mar. West p. 364. willing the Prince to come thither and do him homage which when the prince detracted to do the King gathered an army to compel him thereto The year following the Countesse of Leicester wife to Simon Montfort which remained at a Nunnery in France sent her daughter to Wales to marry the prince as it was ' agreed betwixt them in her Fathers time and with her came her brother Admerike and a courtly company who fearing the coast of England bent their voyage to the Isle of Sylly whereby chance they met with four ships of Bristol which set upon and took them and brought them to the King who entertains the Lady houourably sending her brother to be kept prisoner in the castle of Corff from whence he was removed to the castle of Sherburne Then the King prepared two armies A prodigious Omen to Wales whereof the one he conducted himself to Northwales as far as Ruthlan and fortified the castle and the other he sent with Paganis de Camurtiis a worthy Souldier to Westwales they burned and destroyed a great part of the Country and this year itrained blood in divers places of Wales The year ensuing the Lords of Southwales came to the Kings peace The jangling of the Welsh among themselves their utter overthrow and did him homage and delivered the Castle of Stratywy unto the K. Lieutenant Paganus de Camurtli if his sirname be not mistaken for de Cadurcis it is the family of Chaworth in Notinghamshire This Prince understanding this and seeing that his own people had forsaken him sent to the King for peace which was agreed upon these conditions 1. First that all such as the Prince kept prisoners of the Kings and for his cause should be set at liberty 2. Item That the Prince should pay to the King for his favour and good will 50000 marks to be paid at the Kings pleasure 3 Item That four Cantreds should reman to the King and his heirs for ever which Cantreds I think were these cantref Ros where the Kings Castle of Teganny stood cantref Rynivioc where Denbigh cantref Tegengl where Ruthlan standeth and cantref Dyffryn Clwd where Ruthin is 4 Item That the Lords Merchers should quietly enjoy all the Lands that they had conquered within Wales 5. Item That the Prince should pay yearly for the Isle of Môn or Anglesey 1000 marks which payment should begin at Michaelmas then next ensuing and that also he should pay 5000 marks out of hand and if the prince dyed without issue the Isle should remain to the King and his heirs 6 Item That the Prince should come to England every Christmas to do the King homage for his lands 7. Item That all the Barons in Wales should hold their lands of the King except 5. in Snowden who should ackowledg the Prince to be their Lord. 8. Items that he should for his lifetime enjoy the name of Prime and none of his heirs after him so that after his death the foresaid five Barons should hold of the King and none other 9. Item that for the performance of the Articles the prince should deliver for hostages ten of the best in Wales without imprisonining disinheriting or time of deliverance determined and also the King to choose twenty within Northwales that should take their oathes with the prince for performance of these Articles and if the Prince should swerve from any of them and being thereof admonished would not amend and redresse the same Th. Walsh p. 7 they should forsake him and become his enemies The prince was also bound to let his brethren enjoy their lands in Wales of whom David had long served the King whom the King had made Knight contrary to the manner of Wales and had given him in marriage the daughter of the Earle of Derby whose first husband was lately deceased to whom the King gave Denbigh in Northwales and 1000l lands therewith And his other brother Roderike was lately fled to England out of prison and Owen the third was delivered at this composition This peace was concluded in the Kings absence who appointed one his Commissioners Mr. Trinet Sol p. 787. to wit the Lord Ripiost to take an oath of him and authorised the said Robert Antonio Becke and William de Southampton Prior Provincial of the Friers predicant Commissioners appointed on his behalf to receive the like oath of the said Lhewelyn for whose part Theodor or Tudor ap Ednivet and Grono ap Heilin were Commissioners At this time the King builded a Castle at Aberystwyth returned into Eng. with much honour unto whom the people granted a subsidy of the twentieth part of their goods towards his charges in this war The year following the marriage was celebrated at Worcester betwixt Elianor daughter to Simon Montfort and prince Lhewelin where the King Queen and the most part of the Nobility of England were present Also the year after Roger Mortimer set up at Killingworth a round table for a hundred Knights to be exercised in the feats of arms The Kof Scots sucâ—ouâ—eth against the Welsh and thither resorted many Knights from divers Countries At this time the King of Scots did homage to K. Edward and obtained the Kings letters that his succours in the last wars of Wales were not done by the name of service but good will The peace concluded betwixt the prince of Wales and the King of England did not long continue by reason of the severe and strict dealing of such Officers as the King appointed rulers in the Marshes and the Inland country of Wales who hunting after their own gains oppressed the Inhabitants burdening them with new exactions contrary to the custom of the country and also shewing themselves too much affectionate and partial in matters of controversy betwixt party party especially when any Englishman had to do in the matter which poling and partiality did altogether alienate the hearts of the people from the King of England so that they had rather die then live in such thraldom whereupon assembling
a staff being unarmed and knew him not and his men being but a few stood and fought boldly ever looking for their prince till the Englishmen by force of Archers mixt with the horsemen wan the hill and put them to flight and as they returned Francton went to spoyle him whom he had slain and when he saw his face he knew him very well and struck off his head and sent it to the King at the Abbey of Conwey who received it with great joy caused it to be set upon one of the highest Turrets of the Tower of London This was the end of Lhewelyn betrayed by the men of Buelht who was the last prince of the Brittains blood who bare dominion and rule in VVales so that the rule and government of the Brittains over continued in some place of Brittany from the first coming of Brutus Mr. Powel fol 374. which was as Mr. Powel saith in the year before Christs incarnation 1136. to the year after Christ 1282 by the space of 2418. years Varium mutabile semper vulgus Shortly after that the King had brought all the Country under his subjection the country men themselves brought to him David the princes brother whom he kept in Ruthlan Castle and after put him to death at Shrewsbury Then the King built two strong castles in Northwales Conwey and Carnarvon castle built by K. Edw I. the one at Conwey and the other at Caernarvon when Rees Vachan heard how all things went he yielded himself to the Earle of Hereford who at the Kings commandement sent him to the Tower of London to be imprisoned there and so the King passed through all VVales and subjected the whole Country to the Kingdom of England Mr. Mills fol. 310. Two religious men the one a VVelshman the other an Englishman have written late in Verses in praise and dispraise of this Lhewelyn not unworthy to be remembred the substance whereof is this The VVelshman thus The Englishman thus Here lyeth he that terrifieth the English men and Wales he did as valiantly defend Lhewelyn the Prince of Northwales the bulwark the jewel of his time a flower of Kings past a pattern of future ages the Captain the light the beauty and law of the People Here lyeth the Prince of error the spoyle of men traitor to England bright firebrand of the guilty the VVelshmens God a traitor Captaine and death of the godly the scum of Trojans a lying stock and cause of much mischief His Issue Katherine Lackland or without land married to Malcome Earle of Fyke in Scotland Madoc was his bastard son who in the latter time of K. Edward I. raised war in Northwales but where the King came he builded the Castles of Beaumarish and cut down there woods which yielded them succour and refuge in time of war he fortified the Castles about the sea coast Shortly after he was taken from that time the Welshmen ceased to make war and the King gave to his eldest son the Principality of Wales and with it the Earldom of Chester THE Fourth Book OF THE ANTIENT MODERN BRITTISH AND WELSH History TO THE Right Honourable Sir PIERCY HERBERT Lord Powis EDWARD HERBERT Baron of Cherbery in England and Castle-Iland in Ireland Sir CHARLES SOMERSET Knight of the Bath and Son to the Right Honorable Edward Earl of Worcester Sir EDWARD STRADLING alias ESTERLING of St. Donats Baronet Sir EDWARD MORGAN of Lantarnam Baronet Sir TREVOR WILLIAMS of Langibbie Com Mon Baronet WILLIAM LEWES of the Van Esq RICHARD LEWES of Edigton Esq THOMAS MORGAN of Maughan Esq The Lord POWIS Sir EDWARD HERBERT of Red-Castle Montgomeryshire descended lineally from Brittish Progenitors as in the Geneology of the E. of Pembrock largely appears Sir William Herbert created Lord Powis Elianor Daughter to Henry Earl of Northumberland by which match this honorable Family descends from the Brittish line as appears in the Genealogy of the Earl of Northumberland Sir Piercy Herbert Lord Powis sister to the Lord Craven William Herbert Esq Heir apparent Elizabeth Daughter to Edward Marquesse of Worcester by which the Brittish bloud is again renewed and conjoyned as appears in the Pedegree of the Marquess of Worcester The Lord HERBERT Baron of Cherbery and Castle-Iland Edward Lord Herbert of Cherbery Anne Daughter of Sir Thomas Middleton of Cherck Castle descended anciently from Brittish noble Progenitors Richard Lord Herbert c. Mary Daughter to John Egerton Earl of Bridgewater by which match the honourable Family is linked into the Brittish bloud as appears in the Genealogy of the Earl of Bridgewater Edward Lord Herbert c. Mary Daughter and Heir to Sir William Herbert of St. Julians Com Monmoth Here take natice that these two honorable Families both Male and Female by a long continued Series and Genealogy descend from Noble and Princely Brittish Progenitors The first whereof Herbert Lord of the Forrest of Dean married Lucy Daughter and Coheir of Milo Earl of Hereford who married Sibil Daughter and Heir of Bernard Newmarsh Lord of Brecon and his Wife Nest Daughter and Heir of Griffith ap Llewellin Prince of Southwales the first of this Family who setled in Wales was Peter ap Herbert who married Alice Daughter and Heir of Blethin Broadspear he was Lord of Llanthloell in Monmouthshire and Beachley in Glocestershire and from this branch are sprung The Earl of Pembrock and Huntington the Marquess of Worcester The Earl of Pembrock and Montgomery the Lord Powis and several Noble ancient and mighty Families who do and have born several honorable Offices in this Kingdom Sir CHARLES SOMERSET of Troy in the County of Monmouth Knight of the Bath SIR Charles Somerset Knight of the Bath at the creation of Henry Prince of Wales third Son to Edward Lord Herbert of Chepstow Ragland and Gower Earl of Worcester and Elizabeth Daughter of Francis Hastings Earl of Huntington and Katherine his Wife Daughter and Heir of Henry Poole Lord Mountague descended from the Brittish line married the sole d and h of Sir William Powel of Troy Knight extracted from an ancient and long continued series of Brittish Progenitors and hath three Daughters and Coheirs the eldest married to Squire Anderton of Lostock Com Lan Esq and hath Issue Male the other two as yet unmarried I shall need to say no more concerning the extraction of this honorable and most vertuous Knight from the Brittish line the Genealogy of the Marquess of Worcester will make it appear only I shall dayly pray that Almighty God will prolong his life for the good of the poor and at his departure crown him with a crown of glory bless his posterity Sir EDWARD STRADLING Baronet SIR Edward Esterling was one of the twelve Knights who came into Wales for the subduing of Glamorganshire and for his good service had St. Donats Castle and Mannor given him where this Knightly and Noble Family hath hitherto continued Sir John Esterling Knight Sir Morris Esterling Knight Sir Robert
Howell Sais Lord of St. Clere y moch Esq Llewellin ap Ivor Lord of S. Clere Esq Lleykye d to Griffith ap Eli Lord of Gilfeild in Powis Ivor ap Llewellin Lord of S. Clere Esq Nest daughter to Cadwgan and Great Grandchilde to Elistan Pr of Ferlix Llewellin ap Ivor Lord of S. Clere and Tredegar Esq Augharand daughter and heir to Sir Morgan Meredith Knight Lord of Tredegar Morgan ap Llewellin Lord of Tredegar Esq Maud daughter to Rhun ap Grono ap Llwarch Lord of Kybor Esq Llewellin Morgan of Tredegar Esq Jonet daughter to Dd. Ychan of Rydodyn Esq Evan Morgan of Tredegar Esq Denis daughter to Tho ap Howell Ychan Esq Sir John Morgan of Tredegar Kt. Jonet daughter and heir of John Matthewes of Landaff Esq Thomas Morgan of Machen Esq his Brother Sir John dying Sans Issue Rowland Morgan of Manghan Esq Thomas Morgan of Maughan and Tredegar Esq Sir William Morgan of Tredegar Knight Daughter to Wintour Kt. Com. Glonc. Thomas Morgan of Maughan and Tredegar Esq now living 1661. Daughter and Heir to Windham Com Somer William Morgan Esq Heir apparent I Have seen a Pedegree of this noble Family deduced even from Brute but because I affect brevity I have only selected what serves for my purpose giving you to understand that all Morgans or of what Name else soever who either bear for their Armes Argent a Lion Rampant gardant sable or else Or a Griffon Sergreant sable for their Paternal Coat must acknowledge themselves to descend from this ancient Family THE FOURTH BOOK OF THE Antient and Modern Brittish and Welsh HISTORY The Princes of VVales of the blood Royal of England collected for the most part out of the Records of the Tower Edward of Caernarvon KIng Edward albeit he had brought all Wales under his subjection and by a statute made at Ruthland An. 12. Edw. I. incorporated and united the same to England in the which Statute there be many good lawes concerning the division of Wales into Counties and concerning divers Offices and Officers and concerning Trial and the divisions of actions and the the formes of many writs and the proceeding therein much like to the lawes of England yet he could never win the good will of the common people of the Country to accept him for their prince except he were of their own nation for the Welshmen having experience of the government of the English Officers and knowing that the King would rule the Country by his Deputies could not abide to have any English man to be their Rulers who often times upon the Kings motion answered that they were content to take for their prince any man whom his Majesty would name so that he were a Welshman and no other answer could he ever get from them by any means whereupon the King sent for Q. Elianor out of England in the deep of Winter being then great with child to the Castle of Caernarvon and when she was nigh to be brought to bed the King went to Ruthlan and sent for all the Barons and best men in Wales to come unto him to consult concerning the Weale publick of the Country And when they were come he deferred the consultation till he was certified that the Queen was delivered of a son then sending certain Lords to the Christening of his child and informing them how he would have him named he called the Welshmen together declaring unto them that whereas they were oftentimes suiters unto him to appoint them a Prince he now having occasion to depart out of the Country would name them a prince if they would allow and obey him whom he should name To the which motion they answered that they would so do if he would appoint one of their own Nation to be their prince whereunto the King replyed that he would name one that was born in Wales and could speak never a word of English whose life and conversation no man was able to stain and when they all had granted that such an one they would obey he named his own son Edward born at Caernarvon Castle a few dayes before Then the King having the whole country at his will gave whole Towns and Lordships in the midst of Wales unto English Lords as the Lordship of Denbigh to Henry Lacy Earle of Lincolne the Lordship of Ruthin to the Lord Reginald Grey second son to J. Grey of Wilton and other lands to many of his Nobility This Hen. Lacy Lord of Denbigh was the son of Edmund Lacy the son of John Lacy Lord of Halton Pomfret and Constable of Chester who married Margaret the Eldest Daughter and one of the heirs of Robert Guincy Earl of Lincolne the said Henry married Margaret the daughter and sole heir of William Longesped Earl of Sarum and had Issue Edmund and John which both dyed young of whom the one perished by a fall into a very deep well within the castle of Denbigh and a daughter named Alicia married unto Thomas Plantagenet Earl of Lancaster who was in the right of his said wise Earl of Lincolne and Sarum Earl of Denbigh Halton Pomfret and constable of Chester After the death of the said Thomas King Edward the second gave the Lordship of Denbigh to Hugh Lord Spencer Earl of Winchester After whose death the said Lordship was given by King Edward the third Anno regni sui primo as it appeareth on record to Roger Mortimer Earl of March with divers other Lordships in the Marches in performance of the Kings promise while he remained in France with his mother for the provision of 1000 l. lands of a reasonable extent for the said Roger as soon as by Gods grace he should come to the possession of the crown and Kingdom of England which in few years after the Earl of March being attainted the said Lordship of Denbigh was given by the said King to the Lord Mortague Earl of Sarum but shortly after Anno 29. Edward 3. it was restored again with the Earldom of March to the Mortimers in the which family the same remained untill the whole inheritance of the Mortimers came with a Daughter to the house of York and so to the crown A help to English History fol. 263. and it was given by Queen Elizabeth Anno regni 610. to Robert Dudley Earl of Leicester who was created Baron of Denbigh it is accounted one of the greatest and best Lordships of England This Town is well seated on the banks of the River Istrad which from thence runneth into the Cluyd the fairest River of this Country a Town well peopled and inhabited especially since it became the head of the Country which was not till the 27. of Hen. 8. what time the 5. new shires were added to the rest of Wales of which this was one but before that it was the head Town of the Barony of Denbigh being conceived to be one of the goodliest Territories of all England as having more Gentlemen holding thereof in Fee and by service then any other
Lords it hath had good store and of several families but none of them a Parliamentary Peer in reverence hereunto till these later times of late it hath given title both to Lord and Earl of two several families Viz. to these year 1564 1. Robert Dudley created Baron of Denbigh and Earl of Leicester Eliz. 6. Sept. 29. 1622. Or a lyon rampant quene fourche vert incensed Cules a cressent for difference William Viscount Fielding created Earl of Denbigh 20. Jac. Sept. 14. Master of the Wardrobe c. Arg. Or a Fess B. 3. Fusils or Lozenges Or. The Lordship of Ruthin continued in the possession of the Greyes untill the Reign of Hen. 7. George Grey Earl of Kent and Lord of Ruthin passed the same upon some bargain to the King There came at the same time with King Edward divers Gentlemen who grew afterwards to be men of great possessions in the County many of whose posterity continue to this day Rees ap Meredyth served the King in all these wars who did most hurt of all men and was in good hope of great preferment at the Kings hand whom after the overthrow of the Prince the King made Knight and fed with many fair and good words After that he and all other his Countrymen and Neighbours had submitted themselves to the Government of the King of England it hapned that the Lord Pain Tiptoft Warden of the Kings castles nigh unto Rees his Country and the Lord Allen Plucknet the Kings Steward in Wales called the said Rees as they did all other of the Country to the Kings Court whether he refused to come alledging his ancient priviledges and liberties with the Kings promises but the said Officers proceeded according to the law against him whereupon a great variance arose between the said Pain Tiptoft and the said Sir Rees ap Meredyth so that sundry Skermishes were fought betwixt them and men slain on both sides to the great disturbance of the Country The King hearing of these things being then beyond Sea wrote unto Rees Meredyth requiring him to keep the peace till his return At what time he promised to reform all things in due and reasonable order but Rees would not give over the enterprise which he had begun Whereupon the King sent to the Earl of Cornwall whom he had left his Lieutenant in the Realm during his absence to send an army of Men into Wales to withstand the disordered attempts of the said Rees who went into Wales himself and overthrew Rees his Castle at Drofolan but by undermining the walls of that Castle with the fall thereof the Baron Stafford and the Lord William de Monchency with many other Knights and Esquires were oppressed and brused to death Afterwards Robert Typtoft Lord Deputy of Wales gathered an army and meeting the said Rees after the slaughter of 4000. of his people discomfited and took him who about Michaelmas following at the Kings going into Scotland was had to York and there condemned and executed Not long after the King wanting money there was a great subsidy granted towards the maintainance of the war in France about levying of which there was much a do in several places but especially the Welshmen who were never wont to be acquainted with such contribution stormed against it so that they took one of their own Captains named Roger de Puelesdon who at the Kings command gathered the said subsidy and hanged him with divers others and afterwards beheaded the said Roger. Whereupon the King being sore offended for the death of the said Roger whom he greatly favoured and hearing that the VVelshmen began to stir against him in divers places for the VVestwales Men had chosen Maelgon Vachan for their Captain and destroyed all Caerdigan and Pembrock and returned with spoiles They of Glamorgan and the Southparts took one named Morgan for their leader and driving the Earl of Glocester out of the Country they restored to the said Morgan again the possessions which the Ancestors of the said Earl by force and great wrong had taken from the said Morgans Predecessours The Northwales men had set upon Madoc being of the kindred of the last Lhewelyn who gathering a great power came to Caernarvon and slew a great number of Englishmen which were come thither to the Fair and spoiled the whole Town then I say the King called back his brother Edmund Earl of Lancaster and Henry Lacy Earl of Lincolne and John Lord Denbigh who had an army ready to pass into Gascoyne The remnant of the Welsh foyle the English These Earls came towards Northwales and as they approached neer unto the castle of Denbigh upon St. Martins day the VVelshmen with great force encountered them and giving them battail drove them back and discomfited their people Upon this ungratefull newes the King himself came into VVales and there kept his Christmas at Aberconwey where Robert VVinchesey Archbishop of Canterbury came unto him and did him homage and then returned home the King as he passed further into the country lost much of his carriages which the Welshmen took being loaden with victualls and provision for the army so that the King and his people endured great penury and were constrained to drink water mixt with hony and eat very gross and course meat where he was very like to have been distressed had not the other part of his army come to him in time While the King remained in Snowdon the Earl of Warwick hearing that a great number of Welshmen were assembled together and lodged in a vally betwixt two woods chose out a company of horsemen with certain cross-bowes and archers and coming upon the Welshmen in the night compassed them round about who pitching the ends of their spears and turning the points against their Enemies stood at defence so to keep off the horsemen But the Earl having placed his battail so that betwixt every two horsemen there stood a crossbow a great part of the Welshmen who stood at defence in manner aforesaid with their spears were overthrown and broken with the shot of the quarrells and then the Earl charged the residue with a troop of horsemen and bare them down with such slaughter as they had not sustained the like losse of people as was thought at any time before After this the King builded a strong Castle within the Isle of Anglesey and called the same Beaumarish and so setting all in quietness and punishing such as had put to death Roger de Puelesdon he returned home with his army Madoc victorious against the Lord Strange of Knooking and the Marchers but Madoc within a while after levying an army came to Oswestred where the people yielded unto him and meeting with the Lord Strange with a company of Marchers not far from Knooking overthrew him and spoiled his Country miserably and shortly after he gave the Marchers another overthrow But for all that the Lords Marchers nothing dismayd at this mischance gathered new forces and met Madoc as he
was coming towards Shrewsbury upon the hills of Cefn Digolh not far from Caurus Castle where after a long fight Madoc was taken and his men discomfited and put to flight Then he was sent to the Tower of London there to remain in perpetuall prison Some there be who affirm that Madoc was not taken but rather after many adventures and sundry conflicts when the VVelshmen were brought into great extremity the said Madoc came in and submitted himself to the Kings peace and was received upon condition that he should pursue Morgan till he had taken him and brought him to the Kings prison which was done and so all things were quieted and many hostages of the chiefest Nobility of Wales were delivered to the King who sent them to divers Castles of England where they were safely kept almost to the end of the wars which followed in Scotland In the 29th year of K. Edw. 1. Edw. Prince of Wales came to Chester where he received the homage of the Free-holders of Wales as Henry Earl of Lancaster did homage and fealty for Monmoth Regynald Grey for Ruthyn Fulk Fitz Waren for his lands in Wales The Lord William Martin for his lands in Cemais Roger Mortimer for his lands in Wales Henry Lacy Earl of Lincolne for the land of Ros and Ryveneoc in Wales Robert Lord Montalt for his land in Wales Gruffith Lord of Poole for the Lordship of Powis Sr. Gruffith Lhoyd Knight Tuder ap Grono of Anglesey Madoc ap Tuder Archdeacon of Angelsey Eneon ap Howel of Caernarvon Tuder ap Gruffith Lhewelyn ap Edninet Gruffith Vachan the Son of Gruffith ap Jorwerth Madoc Vachan d'Englefield Lhewelyn Bishop of St. Asaph Mr. Richard de Pnelesdon this man as appeareth by the Records in the Tower was made Sheriff of Caernarvonshire during his life with the stipend of 40 l. staring yearly Anno. 12. Ed. 1. Gruffith ap Tuder Ithel Vachan Ithel ah Blethyn c. The Lord Richard Sutton Baron of Malpas did homage and fealty to Edward Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester for the said Barony of Malpas apud Ruthlan 27. die Aprilis Anno supradicto Aniamis or Eneon Bishop of Bangor and David Abbot of Maynan did homage and fealty to the said Edward Prince of Wales apud Conwey 28. April An. sup dict Lewis de Felton the son of Richard de Felton did homage and fealty to Prince Edward for the Lands which the said Richard held of the Prince in Maelor Saesneg John Earl Warren did homage and fealty to Edward Prince of Wales in the Chappel of the Lord John de Kerby sometime Bishop of Ely at London 25. die Julii Anno. 30. Ed. 1. for the Lordships of Bromfield and Yale The same John Earl Warren swore fealty unto the said Ed. P. of Wales for the lands in Hopedale The Lord Edmund Mortimer the 6th day of November an 30. Ed. 1. in the house of the Bishop of Ely at London did homage and fealty to Edward P. of Wales before his Councel for his lands in Cery and Cydewen About the year 1322. one Sr. Gruffith Lhoyd Knight gathered a great number of Welshmen and took divers Castles in Wales which were kept by the people of the Lord Mortimer the Elder he took also the Castles of Mould Chirk c. The keepers whereof coming to P. Edward at Shrewsbury who then was King of England submitted themselves to him and were shortly after sent to the Tower of London year 1822 This Edward of Carnarvon was known by the name of Edward the second King of England living in a turbulent time between him and his Barons was after deposed for his ill Government and came to a violent death in the Castle of Berkeley nevertheless in his life time he created his son P. of Wales Hol. p. 863. Edward of Windsor The same year being the 15. of K. Ed. the second Edward de Windesore the Kings Eldest Son was in a Parliament holden at York created Prince of Wales and Duke of Aquitane Edward of Woodstock surnamed the Black Prince Mr. Mills ut ante Edward born at Woodstock Son and Heir to King Edward was created Prince of Wales 12. of May anno 17. Ed. patris when he was fourteen years of age who in time grew to be the flower of Chivalry of all Europe he took John the French King prisoner at the battail of Poyteirs and dyed his Father yet living the eighth of July in the 46. year of his age and the 50. of his Fathers Reign a Prince of such excellent demeanour so valiant wise and politick in his actions that the very and perfect representation of Knighthood appeared most lively in his person for such was his towardness or rather perfection in Princely Government that if he had lived and attained the crown every man Judged that he would surely have exceeded all his predecessors Sr. John Dodridge fol. 6. Edward the third saith Judge Dodrige at a Parliament holden at Westminster 15. regni created Edward his eldest Son Ex. harta creationis in Parliamento a. 15. Ed. 3. surnamed the black Prince Prince of Wales being then of tender years and invested him in the said principality with these ensignes of honour as in the Charter is contained Per sertum in Capite anulum in digito aureum virgam argenteam juxta morem by a Chaplet of gold made in manner of a garland for so the word sertum importeth by a gold ring set on his finger and by a Verge rod and Scepter of silver howbeit in the investure of succeeding Princes this Rod or Scepter as appeareth by the Charters of their several Creations was changed into a Verge of gold The said King for the better maintainance of the said Prince his Son in honourable support according to such his State and dignity gave unto him by his Charter Dated 12. of May in the 17. year of his Reign of England and in the 4. year of his reign of France and inrolled in the Exchequer in the Term of St. Hillary in the 18. year of the said King Edward the Third the said principality and the mannors Lordships Castles and land ensuing to appertain to the said principality Viz. All his lands and Lordships in Northwales Westwales and Southwales 1. The Lordship Castle Town and County of Caernarvon 2. The Lordship Castle and Town of Convey 3. The Lordship Castle and Town of Crucketh 4. The Lordship Castle and Town of Beaumarish 5. The Lordship Castle and Town of Hardlagh 6. The Lordship Castle and Townes and Counties of Anglesey and Merioneth 7. The Lordship Castle and Town and County of Caermaden 8. The Lordship Castle and Town of Lampader vawr 9. The Lordship and Stewardship of Canter mawr 10. The Lordship Castle Town and County of Cardigan 11. The Lordship Castle and Town of Emelyn 12. The Lordship Castle and Town of Buelht 13. The Lordship Castle and Town of Hâ—verford 14. The Lordship Castle and Town of Montgomery
did take out of the several profits of those years and did cast them all into one summe which they again divided into three several parts equally esteeming one of the said three parts to be the just yearly value of the said Revenues Communibus annis that is one year with an other And in this account we find no other charges allowed then the Justics Fees only This survay and account made about 200 years past is here inserted to the end it might appear what the Revenues of this Principality alone was The said prince of VVales surnamed the Black prince Mr. Mills fol. 315. after many fortunate victories atchieved by him having subdued a great part of France and having taken John the French King prisoner at Poyteers in France and after that also having vanquished Henry at Naveroit in Spain and restored Peter King of Aragon dyed in June Sr. John Dodridge fol. 15. leaving behind him Richard his Son and Heir born at Burdeux and thereof sirnamed Richard of Burdeux Richard of Burdeux Richard son of Edward Prince of VVales was after the death of his father created prince of VVales at Havering at Bower the 20. day of November in the 50. year of King Edw. III. his Grandfather he was after the death of his said Grandfather K. of England by the name of K. Rich. II. This Richard saith Judge Dodridge sirnamed of Burdeux son and heir of Edward the black prince was created prince of VVales ut supra being about the age of XI years and upon Christmas day next following the said King Edward the third caused the said prince being his Nephew or Grandchild to sit at the table in high estate above all his Uncles being the Kings sons as representing the personage of the heir apparent to the Crown and gave to him the two parts of all the said principality Counties Lordships Castles and the most of the said Lands which belonged to the said black prince and the reversion of the third part thereof the possession of the third part there of then being to the mother of the said Rich. to her dowry with an 113 l. 6 s. 8 d. yearly rent payable by the Earle of March as a Fee Farm for the Lordship and Lands of Buelht and 85. marks for the fee farm of the Castle Lordship and Land of Montgomery with the vacations of Bishopricks excepting the Fees of the Baron Marchers of VVales who do alwaies hold of the Crown in Capite and excepting the avoydance of the Bishoprick of St. Davids in VVales which anciently also belonged to the Crown with the like limitation to the estate viz. To the said Richard and his heirs Kings of England It seemeth that these Lordships of Buelht and Montgomery being formerly granted to Edw. the black prince were before this time given away in Fee Farm After the death of the said K. Edw. III. which was in the 51 year of his reign the Kingdom of England descended to the said Richard being his grandchild and he was crowned King thereof by the name of Richard the second and in the 23 year of his reign he resigned his Kingdom or to speak more truly was deposed against his will and after by a violent death departed this life without issue Henry of Monmoth Henry of Bullingbrock a Town or Castle in Lincolneshire and heretofore belonging to the Lacies Earles of Lincolne and by the marriage with Alice daughter and heir of Henry Lacy Earle of Lincolne to Thomas Earle of Lancaster this with the residue of the lands of Lincolne became united and incorporated with those of Lancaster It hath been almost ever since this time one of the honours as we call them of the Crown of England but never made any honorary title unto any family untill King James conferred it on Sr. Oliver Saint John who possibly might affect to be thence denominated as fetching his descent from the Lady Margaret Beauchamp Grandmother to King Henry the seventh the heirs of the Lancastrian family by which descent likewise as well as otherwayes he is descended of the Welsh blood and beareth for his armes Argent on a chief gules two mullets Or but to our former matter this Henry of Bullingbrock by the name of Henry IV. who was formerly Duke of Lancaster and Hereford Earle of Derbie Leicester and Lincolne son and heir of John of Gaunt the fourth son to K. Edward the third by his Charter dated at Westminster 15. Octob. in the first year of his reign created Henry his eldest son prince of Wales and invested him in the said princely Ornaments viz. the chaplet gold ring verge or rod of gold To have and to hold unto him and his heirs Kings of England And by another Charter of the same date gave to him and his heirs Kings of England the said principality with the Lordships Sr. John Dodridge fol. 17. Castles and Lands before mentioned in the Charter made to the black prince together with four Comots in the county of Caernarvon viz. the comots of Ifaph Vghaph Nantconwey and Crewthin not named before and the reversion of the Lordship of Haverford with the prices of Wines there and of the Lordships of Newin and Pughby in Northwales which Thomas Percy then Earle of Worcester held for term of life of the demise of King Richard the Second together also with the reversion of the county and lordship of Anglesey in Northwales and the castle of Beaumarish and the comots lands tenements and hereditaments belonging thereunto which Henry Percy son of the Earle of Northumberland then held for terme of his life of the demise of the said K. Hen. IV. and by an act of Parliament made in the first year of K. H. IV. whereby the Dutchy of Lancaster is severed from the Crown of Engl. the stile of the said P. is declared to be this P. of Wales D. of Aquitane of Lancaster of Cornwal E. of Chester for the said K. H. IV. having been himself D. of Lancaster before his assumption to the Crown and knowing that the name of Duke being an inferiour dignity would extinguish and be surrounded in the crown as in the superior desired as by that Act of Parliament appeareth not only to separate the said Dutchy of Lancaster and the lands thereof from the Crown to the intent he might still hold the said Dutchy as his antient patrimony if he were put from the Crown it being but his new acquired dignity but also to preserve the said stile Mr. Lhoyd fol. 385. title and name of Duke of Lancaster in his posterity which as the said act affirmeth his ancestours had so worthily borne and sustained In the time of K. Rich. II. there was one Owen ap Gruffith Vachan descended of a younger son of Gruffith ap Madoc Lord of Bromfield This Owen was first a Student at the Lawes of the Realme and became an utter Barrister or an apprentise of the law as they term it and served King Richard in
the said Prince should accomplish the age of 14. years which was performed by them accordingly in all leases dispositions and grants of the revenues of the said prince The said K. Edw. by another Charter composed in English and bearing date 10 of Novem. 13o. regni appointed the said E. Rivers being brother unto the Queen to be governour of the person of the said prince and to have the education and institution of him in all vertues worthy his birth and to have the government and direction of his servants King Edward the fourth having reigned full 22. years left this mortal life 24. regni at VVestminster and was enterred at VVindsor Edward his Son and Heir then being at Ludlow neer the Marches of Wales for the better ordering of the Welsh under the Government of the Lord Rivers his Unkle on the Mothers side and upon the death of his Father drawing towards London to prepare for his Coronation fell into the hands of his Unkle by the Fathers side Richard D. of Glocester and the said Lord Rivers being upon his way to London Dulce vennum regnum was intercepted and lost his head at Pomfret for what cause I know not other then this that he was thought to be too great an obstacle between a thirsty Tyrannous desire and the thing that was so thirstily and Tyrannously desired Edward the 5. King of England for so he was although he enjoyed it not long being thus surprised under the power of his natural or rather most unnatural Unkle and mortal enemy was brought to London with great solemnity and pompe and with great applause of the People flocking about to behold his person as the manner of the English Nation is to do whose new joyes cannot endure to be fettered with any bonds His said Unkle calling himself Protector of the King and his realm but indeed was a wolfe to whom the lamb was committed for having thus surprised the Kings person he laboured by all means to get into his possession also the younger brother being D. of Yorke knowing that they both being sundered Vindex nocentes sequitur a tergo Deus the safety of the younger would be a means to preserve the elder and therefore by all sinister perswasions and fair pretences having obtained the younger D. from his mother the King and the D. both for a time remained in the Tower of London Ed. v. upon his return to England and there shortly after both in one bed were in the night smothered to death and buried in an obscure and secret place unknown how or where untill one of the Executioners thereof after many years being condemned to dye for many other his manifold crimes confessed also his guilty fact in this tragical business and the circumstance thereof of which by reason of the secresie and incertainty divers had before diversly conjectured And by this means all for the Coronation of Innocent Edward served the turn to set the Crown upon the head of Tyrannous Richard Out of which by the way I cannot but observe how hatefull a bloody hand is to Almighty God the King of Kings who revenged the bloodshed of those civil broyles whereof Edward the Father had been the occasion and the breach of his oath upon these his two Innocent Infants Edward Son of Richard III. This Tyrant and stain of the English story Inter warr ad magnum sigillum in Cancellaria Henricus rosas Richard D. of Glocester usurped the Kingdom by the name of Richard the third and became King yet as our Records of Law witness de facto non de jure and in the first year of his reign created Edward his son being a child of ten years of age Prince of Wales Lieutenant of the Realm of Ireland But for that the prosperity of the wicked is but as the florishing of a green tree which whiles man passes by is blasted dead at the roots and his place knoweth it no more so shortly afterwards God raised up Hen. Earl of Richmond the next heir of the house of Lancaster to execute justice upon that unnatural and bloody Usurper and cast him that had been the rod of Gods Judgment upon others into the fire also for in the third year of his reign at the battail of Bosworth whereunto the said Richard entered in the morning crowned with all Kingly pomp he was slain and his naked carkass with as much despight as could be devised was carried out thereof at night and the said Henry Earle of Richmond the Solomon of England Reigned in his stead by the name of King Henry the Seventh Arthur Son of K. Henry VII Henry the VII took to wife Elizabeth the eldest daughter and after the death of her brothers the Relict heir of King Edward IV. by which marriage all occasions of contention between those two noble Families of York and Lancaster were taken away and utterly quenched and the red Rose joyned with the white The said K. Henry the seventh by his letters patents dated the first day of December 5. regni created Arthur his Eldest son heir apparent being then about the age of three years Prince of Wales But before we proceed any further treating of the Princes of Wales let us consider from whence this Arthur descended and admire the goodnesse and providence of the highest and great God towards the VVelsh nation to bring the honour and principality to one descended of the Ancient Welsh or British blood I will bring the pedegree ascendent the noble Prince Arthur was son to Henry the VII Arthur The King of England from the Welsh blood first thus Henry VII Elizabeth Eldest Daughter to K. Edward IV. Edmund Earle of Richmond Margaret Daughter and Heir to John Duke of Somerset Sr. Owen Tudor Katherine Queen Dowager to K. Henry the V. Meredyth son to Tudor Tudor son to Grono Grono son to Tudyr Tudyr son to Grono Grono son to Ednivet Ednivet Vachan married Gwenlhian daughter to Rees Prince of Southwales Gruffith King of Southwales Rees ap Tudyr King of Southwales Whose Armes were Gules a Lyon Ramp within a border indented Or. I could deduce this family from several English matches as Holland Tuckets Norris but I should be too prolix and seem to exspaciate beyond my bounds and therefore I will return to our Prince of whom we now speak Dodridge fol. 28. Also there was a Charter of the Grant of the Lands of the said principality Earledom of Chester and Flint dated the 20 of February in the said fift year of the said King made unto the said Prince The said King Henry the VII by his Charter bearing date the 20. day of March in the eight year of his reign did constitute and appoint the said Prince Arthur to be his Justice in the County of Salop Inter war ad magnum sigillvm in Cancellaria Hereford Glocester and the Marches of Wales adjoyning to the said Shires to enquire of all liberties priviledges and
after the Statute of An. 27. 34. H. 8. By the said Statute of 34. Hen. 8. cap. 26. It is furthered ordained that the President and the Councel in the said Dominion and Principality of VVales and the Marches of the same with all Officers Clerks and Incidents thereunto should continue and remain in manner and form as was then formerly used and accustomed And therefore Rowland Lee being Lord President of the Councel of the Marches of Wales at the time of making of the said Statute so continued after the making thereof until his death being in the 34 year of the said King Hen. 8. after whom succeeded in the Office of the said President Richard Samson Bishop of Chichester and after removed to Coventry and Liechfield who continued Lord President until the second year of K. Edw. 6. At what time John Dudley then Earl of VVarwick and after Duke of Northumberland was President of the said Councel who so continued until the 4th year of the said King and after him succeeded Sr. William Herbert Knight of the Noble Order of the Garter and after Earl of Pembrock who continued president until the first year of Queen Mary next succeeded Nicholas Heath Bishop then of Worcester and after Archbishop of York and Lord Chancellour of England and upon removing of the said Archbishop the said William Herbert succeeded again as President of the said Councel until the 6th year of the said Queen Mary at what time followed him Gilbert Brown Bishop of Bath and Wells who continued until the death of the same Queen In the beginning of the late Queen Elizabeth Sr. John Williams Lord Williams of Tame of whom the Lord Norris was descended was appointed President of the said Councel and died the same year and after him succeeded Sr. Henry Sydney Knight of the Noble Order of the Garter whose love to learning and favour to learned men need not here to be spoken he continued Lord President of Wales about 24 years and 6 Moneths he served in Ireland 8 years and 6 moneths being there 3 several times Lord Deputy General in that Countrey During some part of the time of tho abode in Ireland of the said Sr. Hen. Sydney there served as President or Vice-president John Bish of Worcester after Archbishop of Canterbury after this succeeded Hâ—n Earl of Pembrock son in law to Sr. Henry Sydney and father to the honourable Earl of Pembrock and after him Edward Lord Zouch Quare who succeeded The President and Councel of the Marches of Wales The Jurisdiction of the Councel of the Marches of Wales Statutum 34. H. 8. cap. 26. had power and authority to hear and determine by their wisdom and discretions such causes and matters as be or shall be assigned to them by the Kings Majesty and in such manner as shall be so prescribed unto them by Instruction signed by his hand The Councel assisting the Lord Prince consisted of these the chief Justice of Chester together with the three other of the said Justices of VVales who after their Sessions ended are for the most part resident at the Councel and these are ordinary there are divers extraordinaries both Lords and Knights and such others as are learned in the Laws and are to be called to Councel when the Lord President shall think requisite and every such of the Councel extraordinary learned in the Laws when they are called and do serve there they are allowed their diet for them and their men and 6 s. and 8 d. per diem during the time of their attendance The Officers there serving to the administration of Justice as I am informed are these Sr. John Dodridge fol. 54. The Clerks of the Councel The Clerk of the Signet The Register All which were granted to one man by the late Queen Elizabeth And are Executed by his Deputy The Examiner The Remembrancer The Receiver of the Fines The Atturney The Solicitor The Porter To whose custody such Delinquents as deserve to suffer restraint of liberty are committed c. Two Messengers and a Sergeant at Armes And thus much briefly touching the Antient and Modern Estate and Government of the Principality of VVales and of the Marches of the same Next followeth to be considered according to the former Order proposed the Antient and Modern Officers of the said Principality serving the Lord Prince and what Fees Sallary were allowed unto them The Antient Officers their Names and Fees Collected out of divers Ancient Accounts were these following in North Wales The Justice of North VVales whose antient fee was uncertain but yet for the most part yearly his fee was 50 l. Howbeit I find that Sr. VVilliam Standley Knight to whom K. Hen. 7th gave the Office of Justice of North VVales for his life had the yearly fee of 133 l 8 s. 8 d. d. a. 1. Hen. 7. But this seemeth to have been of favour Chamberlain Auditor The Chamberlain of North Wales whose antient fee was yearly 20 l. The Auditor of North Wales viz. Chester and Flint the antient fee was 10 l. yearly with allowance of 10 s. per diem while he was in executing this Office and finishing the account 10 l. Countrouller Atturney The Countrouller of all Pleas Fines Amercements and Redemptions or Ransoms his yearly fee was 12 l. 3 s. 4 d. b. The Atturney of North Wales viz. of the Counties of Carnarvon Merioneth and Anglesey his yearly fee was 56 s. 8 d. Surveyor The Supervisor or Surveyor of the Castles Mannors Lands Tenements and Hereditaments of the Prince of North Wales his yearly fee was 10 l. Constable The Constable of the Castle of Carnarvon his fee was uncertain sometimes 60 l. and sometimes but 40 l. Captain The Captain of the Town of Carnarvon his fee was yearly 12 l. 3 s. 4 d. d. and sometimes one man had both the Offices of Constable of the Castle and Captain of the Town having 60 l. yearly for both the Offices 12 l. 3 s. 4 d. Souldiers There were allowed sometime unto the said Constable and Captain 24 Souldiers for the safe custody of the Castle and Town and every of them was allowed 4 d. per diem amounting in the whole unto 146 l. by the year 146 l. Porter Constable The Porter of the Gates of the said Town of Carnarvon whose fee was yearly 3 l. 10 s. The Constable of the Castle of Conwey his fee was yearly sometimes 40 l. and sometimes 50 l. Captain The Captain of the Town of Conwey had for his yearly fee 12 l. 3 s. 4 d. and most commonly he that was Constable of the Castle was also Captain of the Town 12 l. 3 s. 4 d Souldiers There were also allowed to the said Constable and Captain 24 Souldiers for the safe custody of the said Town and Castle and every of them was allowed 4 d. per diem amounting yearly to 146 l. Porter Constable The Keeper and Porter of
Stratherne Stewards which ware the crown of Scotland married Eufamia daughter to the Earle of Ross and had by her two sons Walter E. of Athol and David E. of Stratherne This Walter solicited Robert D. of Albanie to slay David Steward D. of Rothsay After that James the first was returned out of England Nec lex est justior ulla Quam necis artifices arte perire sua he did what he could to move him to put to death all the lineage of the said Duke still being in hope after the dispatch of his Kinsmen to come to the crown himself which hope moved him to procure his Nephew Robert Steward and Robert Graham his daughters son to murder K. James the I. also for the which crime the said Walter was convicted and destroyed with all his sons His brother David Earle of Buchquane died without issue and so the lands of both those brethren returned again to the crown without any memory of their blood Sir Robert Steward Duke of Albanie married the E. of Lenox daughter and had by her 3 sons Walter Alexander and James Duke Murdo himself with his first two sons were slain at Striveling by K. James I. and the third brother James in revenge thereof burnt Durbertane and was after chased into Ireland where he deceased without issue Robert the third of that name married Annabel Drommound daughter of Sir John Drommound of Stobhal Knight and had by her David and James the first dyed in Faulkland and the other attained the Crown and was called James the first and married the Lady Jane daughter to John Beauford Earle of Somerset in England he had by her two sons born at one birth Alexander and James the first died young the second reigned by the name James the second James the first had also 6 daughters James the 1. his issue the eldest whereof was given in marriage to the Dolphin in France the second to the Duke of Brittain the third to the Lord Feir the fourth to the Lord of Dalkeith the fifth to the Earle of Hantley and the sixt had no succession James the II. married Margaret daughter to the Duke of Gelderland and begot on her three sons and two daughters The first succeeded him in the Kingdom and was called James the III. the second named Alexander was Duke of Albanie and married the Earle of Orkneys daughter and had by her Alexander that was after Bishop of Murray and then parting with her went into France where he married the Countesse of Bullogne and begot on her John Steward D. of Albany who was Governour of Scotland many years in the minority of James V. The 3 son John Steward was E. of Marr whose chance was to be slain in the Cannogat in a Bath-fat The first daughter of James the second was married to the Lord Boyd who had by her a son that was slain by the Lord Montgomery and a daughter that was married to the Earle of Cassels After the death of the Lord Boyd she was married to the Lord Hamilton and by that means was the house of Hamilton decorate with the Kings blood which they have well requited in the late transactions The other sister was married to the Lord Creichton James III. married Margaret daughter to the K. of Denmark of which marriage was born James IV Alexander Bishop of St. Andrews and D. of Albanie and John Steward E. of Marr which two died without issue James the IV. married Margaret daughter to K. Henry VII of England and by her had James the fifth who marrying first the Lady Magdaline daughter of Frances the French King had no issue by her for that she dyed in the year next after her coming into Scotland and then shortly after the said James the fifth married the Lady Mary de Lorayne Dutchesse of Longuile a widdow and by her had he issue Mary Queen of Scotland that took to husband Henry Darnely alias Steward by whom she had issue Charles James after King of England only son as I said before of Henry King of Scotland and of Queen Mary his wife Dowager of France and heir of Scotland who married Anne daughter of Frederike the second King of Denmark by whom he had Issue Henry Frederike created Prince of Wales at whose creation Charles Duke of York Sir Rab. Bartu Lord Willoughby of Earesby after Earle of Lindsey and General for K. Charles at Edgehil and there slain Sir William Compton Lord Compton after Earle of Northampton Sir Grey Bridges Lord Shandos Sir Francis Norris Lord Norris of Ricot after E. of Berks. Sir Will. Cecil after Earle of Salisbury Sir Allan Percy brother to Henry Earle of Northumberland Sir Francis Mannors after Earle of Rutland Sir Thomas Somerset brother to the Earle of Worcester and Viscount Cassel after in Ireland Sir Thom. Howard second son to the E. of Suffolk after E. of Berks. Sir John Harrington son to John Lord Harrington of Exton Prince Charles Charles Duke of Albanie Marquesse of Ormond Earle of Roth and Lord of Ardmanoch the third son of James King of great Brittain was created Duke of York at Whitehal on Tueseday the sixt of January 1604. and after on the 4 of November 1616. he was likewise at Whitehal created Prince of Wales Earle of Chester c. at whose Creation these Knights of the Bath were made James Lord Matravers eldest son to Thomas Earle of Arundel Algernon Lord Percy after Earle of Northumberland James Lord Writchesly eldest son to the Earle of Southampton Kt. Theophilus Lord Clinton after Earle of Lincolne Edward Seymore L. Beauchamp grandchild to the Earle of Hertford George Lord Berckley after Lord Berckley Henry Lord Mordant after Earle of Peterborough The Earle of Mar his eldest son after Lord Fenton Sir Henry Howard after Lord Matravers c. Sir Robert Howard fift son to the Earle of Suffolk Sir Edward Sackvile after Earle of Dorset Sir William Howard sixt son to the Earle of Suffolk Sir Edward Howard seventh son to the said Earle after Lord Escricke in Yorkshire Sir VVilliam Seymor second son to the Lord Beauchampe after Earle of Hertford Sir Montague Bartu son to Robert Earle of Lindsey and after Lord VVilloughby and Earle c. Sir VVilliam Sturton son to the Lord Sturton Sir William Parker after Lord Morley and Monteagle Sir Dudley North after Lord Morth Sir Spencer Compton after Earle of Northampton Sir William Spencer after Lord Spencer Sir Rowland St. John brother to Oliver Earle of Bullingbrook Sir John Cavendish second son to William Earle of Devon Sir Thomas Nevel son to Henry Lord of Abergavenny Sir John Roper after Lord Tenham Sir John North brother to the Lord North. Sir Henry Cary Viscount Faulkland Prince Charles This Prince had the title of Prince of Wales but not the Investure and Creation as had his father and Uncle a thing formerly practised as before is shewed and is also of the Welsh blood though born in England by the line of King James from
the Stewards whose original came out of Wales from Henry VII who descended from Owen Tewdor ut ante who descended from Blethin King of Powis Gruffith ap Conan King of Northwales Jestin Lord of Glamorgan Meyric King of Gwent Cadeth King of Southwales Anarawd King of Northwales and from Cadwalader last King of the Brittains thus Henry the seventh married Elizabeth eldest daughter to King Edward the IV. who was son of Richard Plantagenes Duke of York descended from Richard Plantagenet of Conesbourgh Earle of Cambridge by Anne his wife sister and co-heir of Edmund Mortimer the fift Earle of March who was son and heir of Rog. Mortimer fourth E. of March who succeeded Edmund Montimer the third Earle of March who was heir unto Roger Mortimer Grandchild to Roger Mortimer first Earle of March and son to Edmund Mortimer Lord of Wigmore who died in the Castle of Ludlow and was buried in the Abbey of Wigmore whose Father was Roger Mortimer Lord of Wigmore who was created the first Earl of the Marches of Wales in the second year of King Edward III. at a Parliament held at Salisbury c. he was son to Edmund Mortimer Lord of Wigmore who was son to Roger Mortimer Lord of Wigmore and by right of inheritance Prince of Wales for he was son to Ralph Lord Mortimer of Wigmore and Gladys his wife who was daughter and heir her brother David being dead to Lhewelin ap Iorwerth Prince of Northwales from this Gladys her brother being dead sans Issue as I said thus descendeth from Cadwalader Gladys daughter and heir to Lhewelyn who was the son of Iorwerth the son of Owen Gwineth the son to Gruffith the son to Conan the son to Iago the son to Edwal the son to Meyric the son of Edwal Voel the son of Anarawd the son of Rodery Mawr the son of Esylht the daughter and sole heir of Conan Tindaythwy the son of Roderick Molwynoc the son of Edwal Ywrich the son of Cadwalader the last King of the Brittains what transactions have happened while this prince had the stile of that Principality I will forbear to speak or relate in this place and only give you a copy of the Charter used at the Creation of the Princes of Wales Here should have been the Picture The Kings Charter for the Creating of the Princes of Wales HENRY by the grace of God King of England and of France Lord of Ireland c. To all Archbishops Bishops Abbots Priors Dukes Earles Barons Iustices Viscounts Governours Ministers and to all our Bayliffs and Faithful subjects Greeting out of the excellency of Royal preheminence like as beames from the Sun so do inferiour honours proceed neither doth the integrity of Royal lustre and brightnesse by the natural disposition of light affording light from light feel any losse or detriment by such borrowed light yea the royal scepter is also much the more extolled and regal throne exalted by how much the more Nobles Preheminencies and Honors are under the power and command thereof And this worthy consideration allureth and induceth us which desire the encrease of the name and honour of our first begotten and best beloved son Edward in whom we behold and see our selves to be honoured and our royal house also and our people subject to us hoping by the grace of God by conjecture taken of his gracious future proceedings to be the more honourably strengthened that we may with honour prevent and with abundant grace prosecute him who in reputation of us is deemed the same person with us wherefore by Councel and consent of the Prelates Dukes Earles Viscounts and Barons of our Kingdom being in our present Parliament we have made and created and by these presents make and create him the said Edward Prince of Wales and Earle of Chester and unto the said Edward we give and grant and by this Charter-have confirmed the Name Stile Title State Dignity and honour of the said Principality and County And him of the said Principality and County that be may therein in governing rule and in ruling direct and defend we by a Garland upon his head by a ring of gold upon his finger and a verge of Gold have according unto the manner invested him To have and to hold the same unto him and his heirs the Kings of England for ever wherefore we will and straitly command for us and our heirs that Edward our son aforesaid shall have the name stile title state dignity and honour of the principality of Wales and county of Chester aforesaid unto him and his heirs the Kings of England aforesaid for ever these being witnesses the reverend Fathers John Cardinal and Archbishop of Canterbury Primate of all England our Chancellour and William Archbishop of York Primate of England Thomas Bishop of London John Bishop of Lincolne William Bishop of Norwich our most well beloved Cosens Richard Duke of York Humphry Duke of Buckingham our well beloved Cosens Richard Earle of VVarwick Richard Earle of Salisbury John Earle of Wiltshire and our beloved and faithful Ralph Cromwel Chamberlain of our house VVilliam Faulconbridge and John Stourton Knights Dated at our Pallace at VVestminster the 15 day of March in the year of our reign 32. By the King himself and his Councel Things required unto the Creation of the Prince of Wales First an honourable habit viz. a Robe of purple Velvet having in it about 18 elles more or lesse garnished about with a fringe of gold and lined with Ermines A Surcote or Inner garment having in it about 14 elles of Velvet of like colour fringe and fur Laces Buttons and Tassells as they call them ornaments made of purple silk and gold A girdle of silk also to gird his inner gown A sword with a scabbord made of purple silk and gold garnished with the like girdle he is girt withal thereby shewing himself to be Duke of Cornwal by birth and not by Creation A cap of the same Velvet that his robe is of furred with Ermines with laces and a button the tassels on the crown thereof made of Venice gold A garland or a little coronet of gold to be put on his head together with his cap. A long golden verge or rod betokening his government a ring of gold also to be put on the third finger of his left hand whereby he declareth his marriage made with Equity and Justice All these things were almost with royal sumptuousness prepared for Edward son to King Henry VIII to have been created Prince of Wales but prevented by his fathers death he was crowned King sixt of that name yet the forme with the rights and ceremonies belonging to the investing of the Prince into the Principality of Wales you may perceive by what is above set down FINIS