once in one war To conclude Claudius having disarmed the Britains leaves Plautius to govern them and to subdue the rest and returns himself to Rome having sent Pompeius and Silanus his sons in law before him with the news of his victory Thus Dio. But Suetonius says that he had a part of the Island surrender'd to him without the hazard of a battle or the expence of blood His stay in Britain was about sixteen days and in that time he remitted to the British Nobility the confiscation of their goods for which favour they frequented his temple and adored him as a God And now after six months absence he returns to Rome It was esteemed so great an action to conquer but a small part of Britain that anniversary games triumphal arches both at Rome and at Bullogne in France and lastly a glorious triumph was decreed by the Senate in honour of Claudius and to see it the governors of provinces and some outlaws were permitted to be present Upon the top of the Emperor's palace was fixed a naval crown to imply his conquest and sovereignty of the British sea The provinces contributed golden crowns Gallia Comata one of nine pound weight and the hither-Spain one of seven His entry up into the Capitol was upon his knees supported by his sons in law on each side into the Adriatick sea in a great house triumphant rather than in a great ship The first seat was allowed to his consort Messalina and it was farther ordain'd by the Senate that she should be carried in a * Carpento Chariot After this he made triumphal games taking the Consulship upon him for that end These plays were shew'd at once in two theatres and many times upon his going out they were committed to the charge of others Horse-races were allowed as many as could be run that day yet they were in all but ten matches for between every course there was bear-baitings wrestlings and pyrrhick dancings by boys sent from Asia for that purpose He also conferr'd triumphal honours upon Valerius Asiaticus Julius Silanus Sidius Geta and others for this victory Licinius Crassus Frugi was allowed to ride next after him in trappings and in a * Veste palmatā robe of date-tree-work Upon Posidius Spado he bestow'd * Hastam puram a Spear without an head to C. Gavius he gave chains bracelets horse-trappings and a crown of gold as may be seen in an antient marble at * Taurini Turin In the mean time Aulus Plautius carries on the war with such success that Claudius decree'd him an Ovation and went to receive him as he enter'd into the city giving him the right-hand both as he rid to the Capitol and return'd from it And now Vespasian Vespasian began to appear in the world who being made an Officer in this war in Britain by Claudius partly under Claudius himself and partly under the conduct of Plautius fought the enemy thirty times subdu'd two of their most potent nations took above twenty towns and conquer'd the Isle of Wight Sueton. in Vespasian c. 4. Upon this account he was honour'd with triumphal Ornaments and twice with the Priesthood in a short time and then besides with the Consulship which he enjoy'd the two last months of the year Here also Titus serv'd as Tribune under his father with the reputation of a laborious stout soldier for he valiantly set his father at liberty when besieg'd and no less famous for the character of a modest man Suet. Titus c. ◠as appears by the number of his Images and the titles to them throughout Germany and Britain What was transacted afterwards in Britain till towards the latter end of Domitian's reign Tacitus who is best able shall inform you P. Ostorius Propraetor in Britain P. Ostorius Propraetor found affairs in disorder by reason of the many inrodes into the Country of their Allies and those the more outragiously because they did not expect that a General but newly made and unacquainted with the army would take the field in the winter to oppose them But Ostorius being sensible that first events would either cast or raise his reputation with such Cohorts as were next at hand sets out against them slew those who withstood him and pursu'd the rest who were dispers'd and routed that they might not unite again and rally And because an odious and slight peace would be neither easie to the General nor his Army he prepares to disarm the suspicious and to post his forces so upon the rivers Antona and Sabrina as to check them upon all occasions But first the Iceni Iceni could not brook this a potent nation and not yet diminish'd by wars having before sought alliance with the Romans By their example the other bordering nations rise likewise encamping in a proper place fenc'd with an earthen rampier and accessible by a narrow passage only to prevent the entrance of the horse The Roman General though without his Legions drew up his Auxiliary troops to attack the Camp and having posted his Cohorts to the best advantage for the assault brings up the Horse likewise for the same service Thus upon the signal given they forc'd the rampart and disorder'd the Enemy pent up and hinder'd by their own entrenchments However they defended themselves with great valor being conscious of their own baseness in revolting and sensible that their escape was impossible M. Ostorius the Lieutenant's son had the honor of saving a citizen in this battle By this defeat of the Iceni other States that were then wavering were compos'd and setled and so he marches with his army among the Cangi Cangi wasting the fields and ravaging the Country Nor durst the enemy engage us or if by ambuscade they happen'd to fall upon our rear they suffer'd for their attempt And now he was advanc'd * Quod hyberniam Insulam aspectat Brigantes as far almost as the Irish Sea when a sedition among the Brigantes drew him back again resolving to make no new conquests till he had secur'd the old The Brigantes were soon quieted the more factious of them being punished and the rest pardoned But the Silures were neither by severity nor mercy to be reclaim'd from their resolutions to a continual war and therefore a Legion was encampt there to awe and restrain them The Colony of Camalodunum To further this Camalodunum a Roman Colony with a strong body of Veterans was planted in the new conquests as a ready aid to withstand revolts and a means to induce their Allies to observe laws Some cities were after the old Roman manner given to King Cogidunus that Kings themselves migh be their tools to enslave others From hence they marched into the country of the Silures who besides their own natural fierceness rely'd much upon the valor of Caractacus Caractacus eminent above all the Commanders in Britain for his experience in affairs either doubtful or prosperous He knowing the Country as
his power But he was soon after recalled and succeeded by Jovinus who sent back †Possibly a place corrupted Theodosius Proventusides with all speed to intimate the necessity there was of greater supplies and how much the present state of affairs required it At last upon the great distress that Island was reported to be in Theodosius was dispatch'd hither eminent for his exploits and good fortune He having selected a strong body of men out of the Legions and Cohorts began this expedition with great hopes The Picts Picts were at that time divided into two nations the Dicalidonae and Tecturiones and likewise the Attacotti a warlike people and the Scots Attacots Scots were ranging up and down the country for spoil and booty As for Gaul the Franks and Saxons who border upon it were always making inroads both by land and sea and what by the spoil they took the towns they burnt and the men they kill'd were very troublesome there If fortune would have favoured this brave Captain now bound for the remotest part of the world was resolved to have curbed them When he came to the Coast of Bologn which is severed from the opposite Country by a narrow sea apt to run high at some times and again to fall into a plain and level surface like a champaign country at which time 't is navigable without danger he set sail and arrived at Rhutupiae a safe harbour over against it When the Batavians Herulians the Jovii and Victores brave bold men who followed him were landed likewise he set forward for London an ancient town London called Augusta called in after ages Augusta Having divided his army into several bodies he fell upon the enemy dispersed up and down the country and laden with spoil and booty They were soon routed and forced to leave their prey which was nothing but cattle and prisoners they had took from this miserable Country After he had made restitution of the booty to the respective owners saving only some small part to refresh his army he entered the City in great state which though in the utmost affliction and misery at that time soon revived upon it in hopes of recovery and protection for the future This success soon put him upon greater designs yet to proceed warily he considered upon the intelligence he had got from fugitives and captives that so great a multitude as the enemy composed of several nations and those of a fierce heady temper were not to be routed but by stratagem and surprise Having published his declaration and a pardon therein to such as would lay down their arms he order'd all deserters and others dispers'd up and down the country for forage and provision to repair to him This brought in many upon which reinforcement he thought to take the field but deferred it upon other considerations till he could have Civilis Civilis sent to be his Deputy a man somewhat passionate but very just and upright and also Dulcitius Dulcitâ—s a gallant Captain and experienced in the arts of war Afterwards taking heart he went from Augusta formerly called Londinum with a good army which with much ado he had raised and thereby proved a great support to the sinking state of the poor Britains He took in all such places as might favour him in cutting off the enemy by ambuscade and imposed nothing upon the common souldiers but what he would do himself Thus he discharged the office of an active and hardy souldier as well as of a brave General and by that means defeated several nations who had the insolence to invade the Roman Empire laid the foundation of a lasting peace and restored both Cities and Castles that were reduced to great streights to their former happiness In this juncture there happened an ill accident which might have been of dangerous consequence if it had not been timely prevented One Valentinus Valentine raises a disturbance in Britain of Valeria Pannonia a proud man and brother-in-law to Maximinus that intolerable Deputy afterwards Lieutenant was banished for an heinous crime into this Island where like some savage of a restless temper he put all things in disorder by plots and insurrections against Theodosius and that purely out of pride and envy he being the only man that could cope with him However that he might proceed with conduct and security in these ambitious pursuits he endeavoured to draw in all exiles and deserters to him with the encouragement and prospect of much booty But these designs taking air and coming to the General 's ear before they were full ripe for execution he took care like a wise Captain to be before hand with him both to prevent and punish the conspirators Valentinus himself with some of the chief of his cabal he committed to Dulcitius to see executed but upon laying things together for he was the wisest and most experienced souldier of his time he would suffer no farther enquiry after the other Conspirators lest the general terror which it would strike might again imbroil the Province which was now in peace and quietness From this he turned his thoughts upon the reformation of some things which now grew intolerable being freed from all dangers that might divert him and sensible that fortune was ever favourable to his designs and so he applied himself to the repairing of Cities and garison-towns as we have already said and the strengthening the Frontiers and Castles with watches and intrenchments Having thus recovered the Province which was possessed by the enemy he restored it so compleatly to its former state that upon his motion it had a * Rector Legitimus Valentia lawful Governor set over it and was afterwards by the Prince's order called Valentia The Areans a sort of men instituted by the ancients were displaced by him as corrupt and treacherous being plainly convict of giving intelligence of our affairs to the Barbarians for rewards and bribery For their business was to run to and fro with news from the neighbouring Countreys to our Captains After these regulations and some others made by him with great applause he was sent for to Court leaving the Provinces in such a calm and happy condition that he was no less honoured for his success and victories than Furius Camillus or Cursor Papirius And so being attended with the acclamations of all as far as the sea he sailed over with a gentle gale and arrived at the Prince's camp where he was received with great joy and commendation For these famous exploits here a statue on horseback was erected in honour of him as Symmachus to his son Theodosius the Emperor informs us The founder of your stock and family was one that was General both in Africa and Britain honoured by the Senate with his Statues on horse-back among the ancient Heroes Thus Claudian likewise in his Commendation Ille Caledoniis posuit qui castra pruinis Qui medio Libyae sub casside pertulit aestus Terribilis Mauro
Britains who was vanquish'd by his father and with a small number of men had fled and yielded himself to him Upon that as if the whole Island had been surrender'd he wrote boâ—sting letters to Rome often charging the express that was sent with them to drive up into the very Forum and Senate House and not to deliver them but in Mars's Temple and in a throng Senate to the Consuls Dio. Afterward marching forward to the Ocean as if he design'd to make a descent into Britain he drew up his army on the shore and then taking ship and launching out a little returned again and seated in a high pulpit gave the sign of battle to his souldiers commanding an alarm to be sounded and on a sudden ordered them to gather shels With these spoils for he wanted those of the enemy wherewith to triumph he pleased himself as if he had conquered the very Ocean and so having rewarded his souldiers he brought the shells to Rome that his booty might be seen there also And in memory of his victory he built a very high tower from which Pharus as from a watch-tower there might be lights kept for the direction of sailers in the night The ruines of it are sometimes when the tide is out seen on the coast of Holland called by the people thereabouts Britenhuis Here they often find stones with inscriptions one of which was C. C. P. F. interpreted by them I know not how truly Caius Caligula Pharum Fecit But more of this in the British Islands From hence forward the inner parts of Britain Claudiâ—â— defeated by civil wars and factions rather than by the power of the Romans after much slaughter on both sides fell by little and little under the subjection of that Empire For while they fought singly one by one they were all in the end conquered being so resolutely bent upon one anothers destruction that till they were all subdued they were not sensible of an universal danger by the overthrow of particular States Nay such was the power of ambition among some of them that it corrupted and drew them over to the enemy's side making them faithful and solicitous for the Roman interest to the destruction of their own country The chief of these was Bericus Bericus who perswaded Claudius to invade Britain which no one had attempted since J. Caesar being then embroiled by faction and civil wars upon pretence of their protecting some fugitives fled to them Claudius therefore orders Aulus Plautius Aulus Plautius then Praetor to lead an army into Britain who had much difficulty to get them out of France for they took it ill Dio. that they were to carry on a war in another world and so drew out the time with delays and backwardness But when Narcissus who was sent to them by Claudius took Plautius's tribunal and began to speak to them the souldiers were so offended at it that they cried out Jo Saturnalia for it is a custom during the Saturnalia for the slaves to celebrate that feast in the habit of their masters and forthwith willingly followed Plautius Having divided his army into three bodies lest all arriving in one place they might be hindred from landing they were driven back by contrary winds and so found some difficulty in transporting Yet taking heart again by reason that the Comet was turn'd from east to the west whither they were sailing they arrived at the Island without disturbance For the Britains upon the news of what I have already said imagining they would not come had neglected to muster and therefore without uniting withdrew into their fens and woods hoping to frustrate the enemies design and wear them out with delays as they had served Caesar Plautius therefore was at much trouble to find them out After he had found them they were not then free but subject to several Kings he first overcame Cataratacus and after him Togodumnus the sons of Cynobelline who dy'd before These not being able to withstand him part of the Bodunni urrender'd to him who at that time were subject to the Catuellani Leaving a garison there he went on to a certain river and the barbarians thinking it impassable by the Romans without a bridge lay careless and negligent in their Camp without heeding it Plautius therefore sends the Germans over being accustomed to swim through the strongest current in their arms These falling upon the enemy by surprise struck not at the men but altogether at the horses in their chariots which being once disorder'd the men were not able to sit them Next to them he made Flavius Vespasianus who was afterwards Emperor and his brother Sabinus a Lieutenant march over who pass'd the river and cut off likewise many Britains at unawares However the rest did not fly but engaged them so resolutely next day that it continued doubtful which way the victory inclin'd till C. Sidius Geta after he had been well nigh taken by the enemy gave them at last such an overthrow that the honour of a triumph was granted him at Rome for his great service though he had never been Consul From hence the Barbarians drew back towards the mouth of the Thames where by the slowing of the tide it stagnates and being acquainted with the nature of the places passed it easily whereas the Romans in following them ran great hazard However the Germans swimming and the others getting over by a bridge above they set upon the Barbarians again and killed great numbers but in the heat of pursuit they fell among bogs and mires and so lost many of their own Upon this indifferent success and because the Britains were so far from being dismayed at the death of Togodumnus that they made preparation with more rage to revenge it Plautius went no farther but fearing the worst took care to secure what he had already got and sent to Rome for Claudius being commanded so to do if affairs went ill and dangerous For this expedition among much equipage and preparation Elephants Elephants also were provided Claudius upon receiving this news commits the government of the city to Vitellius his fellow-Consul for he had put him in that Office along with himself for six months And now he sets sail from the city to Ostia and from thence to Marseils so on the rest of his journey partly by land and partly by sea till he came to the Ocean then was transported into Britain where he went directly to his forces that were expecting him at the Thames Having at last joined Plautius and took the command of the army he pass'd the river and upon a fair engagement with the enemy who were posted there to receive him obtained the victory took Camalodunum the Royal seat of Cunobellin and many prisoners therein either by force or surrender Vpon this he was several times greeted Emperor a thing contrary to the Roman practice for it was not lawful to give that title to a General above
plain to see it Boodicia with her Daughters by her in a chariot went about to the several Nations for it was not unusual among the Britains to go to war under the conduct of a woman assuring them that she went not as one royally descended to fight for Empire or riches but as one of the common people for freedom and liberty to revenge the stripes they had given her and the dishonour they had done her daughters That now the Roman lust had grown so exorbitant and unruly that they left none neither old nor young unravished That God's just revenge would ever tread upon the heels of wickedness That the Legion which had dared to fight them was already cut off that the rest had either kept themselves in their camp or fled for safety That they could not endure the very huzza and clamour of so many thousands how much less could they bear their force and onset If they would but consider both armies and the cause of war on hoth sides they would either resolve to conquer in that battle or to dye in it That for her part who was but a woman this was her resolution but the men if they pleas'd might live and be slaves Suetonius also was not silent in so great danger for though he relied upon the valour of his men yet he excited it with exhortations suggesting that the Sonoras alià e Sâ—â—â—res clamour and vain threatnings of the Barbarians were contemptible that there were more women than young men among them that being unwarlike and ill armed they would no sooner feel their swords which had so often conquer'd them but they would presently fly that in an Army of many Legions a few would gain the victory and that their glory would be so much the greater if so few of them did the work of a whole Army that his advice was they should fight thick and after they had discharged their darts they should continue the slaughter with their pikes and swords and not heed the booty all that would be the consequence of their victory The Soldiers were so forward and couragious upon this speech and the veterans betook themselves so readily to their darts that Suetonius with assurance of the event gave the signal And first of all the Legion not stirring but keeping within the strait which was of great advantage to them till the Enemy had spent their darts sallied out in * Cuncis a wedge upon them The Auxiliaries gave them the like shock and the Horse breaking at last upon the Enemy routed all in their way that could make head against them The rest fled but with great difficulty for the passes were blocked up by the waggons quite round The Soldiers gave no quarter not so much as to the women which with the horses that were slain encreas'd the heaps of carcasses along the field This Victory was very eminent and the glory of it not inferior to those of old times for by the report of some there were slain not many fewer than fourscore thousand Britains whereas we lost but four hundred and not many more wounded Boodicia poisoned her self And Poenius Posthumus Camp-master of the second Legion upon the news of the success and victory of the fourteenth and twentieth Legions having deprived his Legion of a share in that glory and contrary to discipline and order disobey'd the commands of his General stab'd himself After a general muster and review of his army Suetonius took the field again to put an end to this war And Caesar reinforc'd him with a supply of two thousand Legionaries from Germany and with eight auxiliary cohorts and a thousand horse by which the ninth Legion was compleated These cohorts and some others were sent into new winter-quarters and the country that was either enemy or neutral was wasted with fire and sword But nothing was a sharper affliction to the Britains at this time than famine for during this uproar they had neglected to till the ground and giving themselves wholly to prosecute the war had depended upon our provisions Those nations which were yet unconquer'd were the more averse to treaty upon the news of a difference between Suetonius and the new Procurator Julius Classicianus J. Classicianus sent to succeed Catus which was very prejudicial to the publick interest He had spread a report that a new Lieutenant was to be expected who without the rancour of an enemy or the haughtiness of a conqueror would treat such as yeilded themselves with favour and clemency He writ to Rome likewise that there was no end to be expected of that war till Suetonius was succeeded by some one else imputing all miscarriages to his perverse conduct but whatsoever was prosperous and lucky that he attributed to the good fortune of the Commonwealth Upon this account Policletus one of the Emperor 's Liberti was sent into Britain to see the state of affairs there Nero hoping that the difference might be composed between the Lieutenant and the Procurator by his authority and the rebellious Barbarians won over to a peace Polycletus took care to shew his state and grandeur to Italy and Gaul by a great train and retinue and likewise to appear awful to the armies here upon his arrival This made him ridiculous to the enemy who being then in the full enjoyment of their liberty knew not what the power of a * Libâ—rti Freeman was and thought it strange that a General and his army after such great exploits could thus be subject to a slave However every thing was related as fair as could be to the Emperour And Suetonius who was then employ'd in dispatching one business or other having lost some few gallies on the shore and the men in them was commanded as though the war continued to deliver up his Commission to Petronius Turpilianus who had just before been Consul Petronius Turpilianus He neither troubled the enemy nor was troubled by them calling this lazy and unactive course by the honourable name of a real peace And thus having quieted the former broils without advancing the conquest Trebellius Maximus Propraeter he deliver'd the Province to Trebellius Maximus He was of an unactive temper and unexperienc'd in war-affairs and so govern'd the Province after as soft a manner as he could Now the barbarous Britains began to be tainted and to yeild to the charms of vice and the civil wars of the Empire was a fair excuse for the remisness of the Lieutenant but the soldiers grew mutinous for being formerly inured to labour and discipline the present peace and idleness made them wanton and haughty Trebellius grew odious and contemptible to his army by his baseness and avarice Their indignation at him was the more enflam'd by Roscius Caelius Lieutenant of the twentieth Legion who was formerly out with him and now by reason of the civil wars more than ever Trebellius charg'd Caelius with all the mutinies and neglect of discipline in the Army and
the Runic which also hath some part in most of the rest The Destruction of BRITAIN THE Romans having now withdrawn their Forces and abandon'd Britain the whole frame of affairs fell into disorder and misery Barbarians invading it on one hand and the Inhabitants breaking out into factions on the other whilst each one was for usurping the Government to himself They lived says Ninius about forty years together in consternation For Vortigern who then reigned was apprehensive of the Picts and Scots and of some attacks from those Romans who remained here He was also fearful of Ambrosius Aurelius or Aurelianus who still survived that hot engagement wherein his parents then Governours were cut off Upon this Vortigern sends for the Saxons out of Germany to his assistance Gildas â—axons calâ—ed into â—ritain who instead of auxiliaries turn'd most cruel enemies and after the several events of many battles dispossessed the poor Britains of the most fruitful parts of the Country their ancient inheritance But this woful destruction of Britain shall be represented or rather deplored to you in the melancholy words of Gildas the Britain all in tears at the thoughts of it * This Gildas is â—n some â—S Coâ—ies in France call'd Queâ—uius as I â—ad it â—rom the â—amous Barnah Brisonius The Romans being drawn home there descend in great crowds from the little narrow bores of their †Carucis â—â—tick â—ale Carroghes or Carts wherein they were brought over the Scitick vale about the middle of summer in a scorching hot season a duskish swarm of vermine or hideous crew of Scots and Picts somewhat different in manners but all alike thirsting after blood who finding that their old confederates the Romans were marched home and refused to return any more put on greater boldness than ever and possessed themselves of all the North and the remote parts of the Kingdom to the very wall as if they were the right native Proprietors To withstand this invasion the towers along the wall are defended by a lazy garison undisciplined and too cowardly to ingage an enemy being enfeebled with continual sloth and idleness In the mean while the naked enemy advance with their hooked weapons by which the miserable Britains pulled down from the tops of the walls are dashed against the ground Yet those who were destroyed after this manner had this advantage in an untimely death that they escaped those miserable sufferings which immediately befell their brothers and children To be short having quitted their Cities and the high Wall they betook themselves to flight disbanding into a more desperate and hopeless dispersion than ever Still the enemy gave them chase still more cruel punishments are prepared as Lambs by the bloody butcher so were these poor creatures hew'd to pieces by their enemies So that they may justly by their stay there be compared to herds of wild beasts For these miserable people did not stick at robbing one another for supplies of victuals so that in bred dissentions enhanced the misery of their foreign sufferings and brought things to that pass by this spoil and robbery that meat the support of life was wanting in the country and no comfort of that kind to be had but by recourse to hunting Again therefore the remaining Britains send their lamentable petitions to Aetius a man of authority in the Roman State after this manner To Aetius thrice Consul This is in sâ—me Copies Agitius in others Equitius Cos. without the numerals The Groans of the Britains The Barbarians drive us to the Sea the Sea again to the Barbarians thus bandied between two deaths we either perish by Sword or by Water Notwithstanding they obtain no remedy for these evils While in the mean time famine grows more sharp and pinching to the faint and strowling Britains who reduced to such straits by these intolerable sufferings surrender themselves to the enemy that they may have food to recruit their spirits However others would not comply but chose rather to infest them from their mountains caves and braky places with continual sallies From that time forth for many years they made great slaughter of the enemies as they went out to forage not relying on their own strength but trusting in God according to that of Philo The help of God is certainly at hand when man's help faileth The boldness of our enemies gave over for some time but the wickedness of our Britains was without end The enemies left us but we would not leave our vices For it has ever been the custom of this nation as it is now at this day to be feeble in repelling an enemy but valiant in civil wars and in carrying on a course of sin c. Well these impudent Irish robbers return home with a design to come again shortly The Picts in the remotest part of the * * In the text Insulae in the margin Provinciae Island began from henceforth to be quiet yet now and then making some spoil and ravage In these cessations of arms the scars of this famine began to wear out among the desolate Britains but another more keen and virulent was sprouting up to succeed it For during the forbearance of former ravages the Kingdom enjoyed such excessive plenty as was never remember'd in any age before which is ever accompanied with debauchery For it then grew to so high a pitch that it might be truly said at that time Here is such fornication as was never among the Gentiles Nor was this the only prevailing sin of that age but all other vices that can be imagined incident to humane nature especially which also now at this day overthrow all goodness among us a spight to truth and the teachers of it a fondness for lyes and those that forge them imbracing evil for good and a veneration for lewdness instead of virtue a desire of darkness rather than light and entertaining Satan before an Angel of light Kings were anointed not by God Kings anointed but were such as were known to be more cruel than the rest and were soon after put to death by their own Anointers without due examination of the truth and others morce fierce and cruel elected Now if any one of these Kings seemed more mild than other or a little more exact in his proceedings all their malice and designs were without respect darted at him as the subverter of Britain and they weighed every thing that offended them in the same scale if there was odds given it was to condemn good actions which were most displeasing so that the prophesie denounced of old against Israel may fitly be applied to them A lawless generation ye have forsaken the Lord and provoked to wrath the holy one of Israel why should ye be smitten any more still multiplying iniquity Every head is sick and every heart is heavy From the sole of the foot to the crown of the head there is no soundness in it Thus they acted quite contrary to their own
apprehensive of danger from the Picts and Scots c This must be meant of the Roman party left in the Island who might be suppos'd to have a greater respect for Ambrâ—sius For the Northern nations breaking in upon Rome at that time did so effectually divert that nation that no harm câ—uld be fear'd from those parts from the Râ—man power and from Aurelius Ambrosius The Saxons immediately under the command of Hengist and Horsa d See Bish p Usher's Antiquitat Britann p. 207 c. arriv'd in Britain with their Ciules e I rather think it was a general name for their ships For William of Malmesbury describing their coming says they brought 3 Ciules which the Saxon Annals express by Scipas And 't is a word oo very commonly maâ—e use of in the names of men which generally consisted of something sublime and never of diminutives Unless these Ciules wâ—re their piratiâ—g vessels then we need not woâ—der that they got into their names since piracies were tâ—e peculiar talent and glory of that nation for so they call'd their flat-bottom'd boats or pinnaces and by their success against the Scots and Picts in two several engagements rais'd their reputation considerably And because the Britains did absolutely depend upon their conduct they sent for fresh supplies out of Germany partly to man the frontier garisons f This conduct of Vortigern's in trusting the Saxons with the frontier garisons is by some very much approv'd and by others as much condemn'd Mr. Sommer in his Gavelkind p. 40. calls it the most prudent course he could have took for the benâ—fit and security of his subjects But Bishop Stillingfleet Orig. Britan. p. 319. proves it to be the very worst method he could have fixt upon and partly to divert the enemy upon the sea-coast Guortigern says Ninnius at the instance of Hengist sent for Octha and Ebissa to come and aid him and they with forty of their Ciules sailing round the Picts coasts wasted the Orcades and possess'd themselves of a great many Islands and countries * Trans mare Fresicum beyond the Frith even as far as the borders of the Picts At length being mightily satisfied with the lands customs and plenty of Britain and building upon the cowardize of the natives under the pretence of ill pay and short diet they enter into a league with the Picts raise a most bloody war against their Entertainers the Britains in all parts put the poor frighted Inhabitants to the sword wast their lands raze their cities and after many turns and changes in their several battles with Aurelius Ambrosius who had took upon him the government Aurelius Ambrosius by Gildas Ambrosius Aurelianus g Probably murder'd by their own subjects according to Gildas's character of their behaviour at that time in the administration whereof his parents had lost their lives and the h How far the British History of Arthur may be admitted See Stillingflâ—et's Orig. Britan. p. 335. Usher Primord p. 61 c. warlike Arthur at length dispossess the Britains of the best part of the Island and their hereditary estates At which time in a word the miserable natives suffer'd whatever a Conqueror may be imagin'd to inflict or the conquer'd fear For auxiliary troops stocking daily out of Germany still engag'd a fresh the harrass'd Britains such were the Saxons the Jutes for that is their right name not Vites and the Angles They were indeed distinguish'd by these names but promiscuously call'd Angles and Saxons But of each of them let us treat severally and briefly that so far as is possible we may discover the originals of our own nation Only I must beg leave first to insert what Witichindus a Saxon born and an ancient writer has left us concerning the coming over of the Saxons Britain being by Vespasian the Emperor reduc'd into the form of a province and flourishing a long time under the protection of the Romans was at last invaded by the neighbouring nations as seeming to be abandoned by the Roman aids For the Romans after that * In the texâ— Martialis buâ— in the margin Possibly Martianus Martian the Emperor was murder'd by his own soldiers were heavily annoy'd with foreign wars and so were not able to furnish their allies with aids as they had formerly done However before they quitted this nation they built a large wall for it's defence going along the borders from sea to sea where they imagin'd the enemy would make the most vigorous assaults But after a soft and lazie people were left to encounter a resolute and well-disciplin'd enemy it was found no hard matter to demolish that work In the mean time i The former experience Britain had had of the Saxon courage was sufficient to point out that nation before any other For even in the times of the Romans they were not afraid to prey upon our coasts aâ—d to that degree as to oblige'em to guard the coasts with the Officer called Comes Littoris Saxonici the Saxons grew famous for their success in arms and to them they dispatch a humble embassy to desire their assistance The Embassadors being admitted to audience made their addresses as follows Most noble Saxons The miserable * Bretti for Britanni Britains shatter'd and quite worn out by the frequent incursions of their enemies upon the news of your many signal victories have sent us to you humbly requesting that you would assist them at this juncture k Witichindus seems to make 'em too lavish in their promises For it they had given up their lands and liberty in such express terms what occasion had the Saxons to have recourse to the pretences of ill pay and short diet after they had took up the resolution of making themselves Masters by force of arms A land large and spacious abounding with all manner of necessaries they give up entirely to your disposal Hitherto we have liv'd happily under the government and protection of the Romans next to the Romans we know none of greater valour than your selves and therefore in your courage do now seek refuge Let but that courage and those arms make us conquerors and we refuse no service you shall please to impose The Saxon Nobles return'd them this short answer Assure your selves the Saxons will be true friends to the Britains and as such shall be always ready both to relieve their necessities and to advance their interest The Embassadors pleas'd with the answer return home and comfort their countrymen with the welcome news Accordingly the succours they had promis'd being dispatch'd for Britain are receiv'd gratefully by their allies and in a very little time clear the kingdom of invaders and restore the country to the Inhabitants And indeed there was no great difficulty in doing that since the fame of the Saxon courage had so far terrify'd them that their very presence was enough to drive them back The people who infested the Britains were the
to Hastings where he built another and put in it a garison Next he publish'd the reasons of invasion To revenge the death of his kinsman Alfred whom among a great many other Normans Godwin Harold's father had slain To take satisfaction for the injuries Harold had done in banishing Robert Archbishop of Canterbury and accepting the crown of England contrary to his own express Oath He gave out a strict order among his men that none should plunder the English in a hostile manner News of his whole proceeding were quickly brought to Harold who judging it most advisable to engage the Norman as soon as possible dispatches messengers to all parts desires his subjects to stand true to him gets his whole army together and marches with all speed to London William sent an Embassador to him there who with a great deal of importunity demanding the Crown did so incense him that he very hardly restrained himself from violence His late victory had wrought him into so much insolence and assurance that it was a difficult thing to bring him down Forthwith he sends Embassadors to William with very severe threatnings of what he was to expect unless he returned immediately to Normandy William dismiss'd them with a gentile answer and a great deal of civility Harold in the mean time makes a general muster at London and finds his forces considerably lessened by the late battle with the Norwegians but however makes up a strong body out of the Nobility and others whose concern for the publick good had invited them to take up arms Presently he marches into Sussex though altogether contrary to the advice of his mother and with a firm resolution encamps scarce seven miles from the Norman William with his army advanced towards him Spies were sent out by both sides Those of the English either out of ignorance or design gave a prodigious account of the number preparations and discipline of the Normans Upon this Gythus Harold's younger brother a very noted souldier did not think it advisable to run the hazard of a decisive battle He told the King the issue of all engagements was dubious that the victory depended more upon fortune than courage that mature deliberation was the greatest part of military discipline He advised him in case he had made any such promise to William of the reversion of the Kingdom at least not to fight in person because no forces could guard him against his own conscience and God would certainly punish every breach of promise that nothing could cast a greater damp upon the Normans than to see a new army raised to engage them afresh He farther promised that if he would but trust him with the management of the fight he would discharge the duty of a faithful brother and a stout General that as he had the support of a good conscience he might the more easily defeat the enemy or at least die more happily in the service of his countrey The King did not like such language as thinking that it plainly tended to the dishonour of his person For as he could be very well content to run the hazard of a battle so the imputation of cowardise was a thing he could not bear As for the character of the Normans he made light of it and could not think it consisted with his dignity or former behaviour now he was come to the last hazard like a coward to run for 〈◊〉 and so to bring upon himself an eternal scandal Thus whom God has mark'd out for destruction he always infatuates While these things were going forward William out of a pious care for the interest of Christendom and to prevent the effusion of Christian blood sent out a Monk as a Mediator between both He propos'd these terms to Harold either wholly to resign up the government or own it a tenure in fee from the Norman or decide the matter in a single combat with William or at least stand to the Pope's determination But he like a man that had no government over himself rejected all propositions and referr'd his cause entirely to the tribunal of God Next day which was the 14th of October he promised to give them battle foolishly flattering himself with success because 't was his birth-day That night the English spent in revels feasting and shouting but the Normans in prayers for the safety of their army and for a victory Next morning by break of day they drew up both armies In Harold's the Kentish men with their halberts were in the van for by an old custom they claimed the front of the battle in the rear was Harold and his brother the Mediterranean English and the Londoners The van of the Norman army was led up by Roger of Montgomery and William Fitzosberne and consisted of the horse of Anjou Perch Maine and Little Britain most whereof had served under Fergentas the Briton The main battle made up of Poictovins and Germans was commanded by Geffrey Martel and a German Stipendiary In the rear was the Duke himself with a strong body of Normans and the flower of the Nobility The Archers were mixt through the whole army The Normans * * Câ—â— Reâ—â— after a regular shout sounded an alarm and advanced forwards They first charged them with a volley of arrows from all parts and that being a sort of attack to which the English were altogether strangers did very much affright them for they fell so thick that they thought the enemy was got into the midst of their army Next they vigorously charged the front of the English who resolving rather to die upon the spot than retreat kept their ranks and repulsed them with great loss The Normans attack'd them a second time so they bore up stoutly one against the other Thus foot to foot and man to man they were for some time very warmly engaged but the English keeping close in one body maintained their ground with so much bravery that the Normans after they had been miserably harrassed were for retreating had not William acted the part as well of a common soldier as a General and by his authority prevented them By this means was the battle continued and the Norman horse sent with all speed to reinforce them whilst the English were in a manner over-whelmed with the arrows yet for all this they kept their ranks For Harold behaving himself in every respect like a brave General was always ready with succours and William on the other side was nothing inferior He had two horses killed under him and after he saw that nothing could be done by bare force he begun to act by stratagem He ordered his men to sound a retreat and to give ground but still to keep their ranks The English taking this for flight thought the day was certainly their own whereupon they broke their ranks and never so much as doubting of the victory pursued the enemy in great disorder But the Normans rallying their troops on a sudden renewed the battle and falling
Robert Earl Moreton half brother by the mother's side to William the Conquerour 15 And then had 56 Burgesses After the attainder of his son William Earl of Moriton it came to K. Henry 1. by Escheat In the composition between Stephen and K. Henry 2. both town and castle with whatsoever Richard de Aquila had of the honour of Pevensey which after his name was called Honor de Aquila and Baronia de Aquila or of the Eagle was assigned to William son to K. Stephen But he surrendred it with Norwich into King Henry 2 â—s hands in the year 1158. when he restor'd to him all such lands as Stephen was seised of before he usurped the Crown of England afterwards to William son to King Stephen who surrender'd it back to King Henry 2. from whom he had receiv'd it as a free gift Treaty between Henry and K. Stephen together with the lands formerly of Richer de Aquila or of the Eagle from whom they had the name of the Honour of the Eagle The honour of the Eagle Long it lay in the crown till K. Henry 3. granted it 16 Which had fallen to the Crown by Escheat for that Gilbert de Aquila had passed into Normandy against the King's good will to Peter Earl of Savoy the Queen's Uncle But he fearing the envy of the English against foreigners relinquish'd it to the King and so at length it came to the Dutchy of Lancaster to the Earls of Richmond of Bretagne from whom it fell to the crown again But now there is nothing remaining of the castle but the walls Some part of this Honour of the Eagle Henry 4. gave afterwards to the family of the Pelhams for their loyalty and good services Haâ—d by stands Herst amongst the woods Herst what it â—â—gnifies which has it's name from it's woody situation For the Saxons call'd a wood Hyrst This was immediately after the first coming in of the Normans the seat of certain Gentlemen who from the place were for some time named De Herst till such time as William son of Walleran de Herst took the name of Monceaux Register of the Monastery of Roberts-bridge from the place perhaps of his birth a thing usual in that age whereupon that name was annex'd to the place call'd ever since from it's Lord Herst Monceaux Herst Monceaux From whose posterity it descended hereditarily to the Fiennes Family of the Fiennes These Fiennes call'd likewise Fenis and Fienles are descended from Ingelram de Fienes who marry'd the heir of Pharamuse of Boloigne Pat. 37. H. 6. 17 About the time of K. Edw. 2. Sir John Fienes married the heir of Monceaux his son William married one of the heirs of the Lord Say his son likewise the heir of Balisford whose son Sir Roger Fienes married the daughter of Holland and in the first year of K. Henry 6. built of brick the large fair uniform and convenient house here Castle-like within a deep moat of whom K. Henry 6. accepted declared and reputed Richard Fenis to be Baron of Dacre And King Edw. 4. chosen honorary Arbitrator between him and Humphrâ—y Dacre An. 13 Ed. 4. Lord Dacre of the south confirm'd it to the said Richard Fenis and to his heirs lawfully begotten because he had married Joan the Cousin and next heir of Thomas Baron Dacre 18 And to have precedence before the L. Dacre of Gilesland heir male of the family sinâ—e which time 19 The heirs lineally descenaing from him being enrich'd by one of the heirs of the Lord Fitz-Hugh his posterity have flourish'd under the dignity of Barons Dacre till George Fiennes Lord Dacre 20 Son to the unfortunate Thomas Lord Dacre died very lately without issue Whose only sister and heir Margaret Sampson Lennard Esquire a person of extraordinary virtue and civility took to wife 21 And by her hath fair issue In whose behalf it was published declared and adjudged by the Lords Commissioners for martial Causes in the 2d year of the Reign of K. James with his privity and assent Royal That the said Margaret ought to bear have and enjoy the name state degree title stile honour place and precedency of the Barâ—ny of Dacre to have and to hold to her and the issue of her body in as full and ample manner as any of her ancestor enjoy'd the same And that her Children may and shall have take and enjoy the place and precedence respectively as the children of her Ancestors Barons Dacre have formerly had and enjoy'd But to return back a little 22 About 3 miles from Pevensey is Beckes-hill a place much frequented by St. Richard Bishop of Chichester and where he died Under this is Bulverhith in an open shore with a roofless Church not so named of a Bulls Hide which cut into Thongs by William the Conqueror reached to Battaile as the fable for it had that name before his coming Put here he arriv'd c. at this Pevensey William the Norman I shall again give you a short account because the place requires it of that which I shall treat of more fully elsewhere arriv'd with his whole navy upon the coast of Britain landed his army and having strongly entrench'd his camp set his ships on fire that their only hope might lye in their courage and resolution their only safety in victory And 23 After two days marched to Hastings quickly after marched to a Plain near Hastings 24 Then to an hill near Nenfield now call'd Standard-Hill because as they say he there pitched his Standard and from thence two miles further where in a plain c. where the Dye as it were was thrown for the Kingdom of England and the English Saxon Empire came to an end For there our Harold notwithstanding his forces by a former fight with the Danes were much diminish'd and fatigued by a long march gave him battel in a place call'd Epiton K. Harold's fight with William the Conqueror on the 14th of October 1066. When the Normans had given the signal of battel the first encounter began with flights of arrows from both armies for some time then setting foot to foot as if they fought man to man they maintain'd the battel a long while But when the English with admirable courage and bravery had receiv'd their fiercest onset the Norman horse furiously charg'd them with full career But when neither of these cou'd break the army they as they had before agreed retreated but kept their ranks in good order The English thinking they fled broke their ranks and without keeping any order press'd hard upon the enemy but they rallying their forces charg'd afresh on every side with the thickest of them and encompassing them round repuls'd them with a mighty slaughter yet the English having gotten the higher ground stood it out a long time till Harold himself was shot thro' with an arrow and fell down dead then they
order and the last worst of all As soon as it 's cropt it 's carried to the Woad-mill and ground as small as it can be until it becomes fit to ball When it is ball'd they lay the balls on hurdles to dry and when it is perfectly dry they grind the balls to powder in the Mill as small as is possible Thus ground they throw it upon a floor and water it which they call couching and let it smoke and heat turning it every day till it be perfectly dry and mouldy which they call silvering When it is silvered they weigh it by the hundred and bag it putting two hundred weight in a bag and so send it to the Dier as fit for sale who tries how it will die and they set the price accordingly The best Woad is usually worth 18 l. per Tonn With the tincture of this Plant the ancient Britains were wont to die their bodies that they might appear more terrible to their enemies The Romans call'd this herb in Latin Vitrum witness Caesar Vitruvius Mela and Marcellus Empyricus which word being manifestly an interpretation of Glastum it appears thence that Glassa or Glasse signified the same thing to the ancient Britains that it doth to us and not to a blue colour as Mr. Camden tells us it now doth to the Welsh Why the Britains should call this herb Glasse I know no better reason than because it resembles some kind of Glass in colour which we know hath often a tincture of blue in it whence also a dilute blue is call'd color hyalinus Glaux Dioscoridis Dioscorides his Milk-tare Upon Barton-hills four miles from Lewton Ger. p. 1242. This hath been already mentioned in severl Counties Melampyrum crystatum Crested Cow-wheat See the Synonymes in Cambridgshire It is no less plentiful here than there about Blunham and other places Ribes nigrum Black Currans Sqinancy-berries By the river side at Blunham and elsewhere HERTFORDSHIRE UPON the Confines of Bedfordshire toward the East and partly toward the South lieth Hertfordshire the third of those Counties as I said before which were possessed by the Cattieuchlani It s West-side bordereth upon Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire the South-side of it wholly upon Middlesex the East upon Essex and the North upon Cambridgeshire It is well furnish'd with corn-fields pasture-ground meadows a little woods and small but very clear streams And so eminent is it for several famous ancient places that as to that point it may justly dispute the preeminence with its neighbours For scarce is there any one County in England that can shew more footsteps of Antiquity HERTFORD-SHIRE By Robt. Morden From hence Southward Tharfield Tharfield amongst the tops of some small hills hangs over Royston Here was the seat of the most ancient Family of the Berners Bâ—rners descended from Hugh de Berners upon whom as a reward for the valour he had shown in the Norman Conquest William the Conqueror bestow'd a fair estate in Eversdon in Cambridgshire And to that degree of reputation did his posterity arrive that Sir 3 Sir John John Bourchier who married the sole heiress of this family had the title of Lord Berners upon his being created a Baron by King Edward the fourth Not far from hence lyeth Nucelles Nucelles a place formerly belonging to the Roffes or Rochesters Family of Râ—ffes or Râ—chesters But all its reputation was took from the Barons de Scales who were originally of Norfolk but heirs to the Roffes For King Edward the first for the great services he had performed in the Scotch wars granted to 4 Sir Robert Robert de Scales certain lands then worth 300 marks per annum and summoned him amongst his Barons to Parliament Barons de â—â—les The Arms of this family are Gules with six Escallops Argent which I have seen in several places They flourish'd till the reign of Edward the fourth when the only daughter and heiress thereof was married to 5 Sir Anthony Anthony Widevile Earl * De Ripaâ—iis Rivers Whom as his sister's marriage with the King and his own most signal valour raised so the malice of his enemies never left pursuing him till they brought him to his end For Richard the third beheaded him though he had no way deserved it After the death of this Earl's Lady who left no issue the inheritance was divided in the time of Henry the seventh between John Earl of Oxford and Sir William Tindale Kt. who were found to be next in blood and coheirs the former by the Howards the latter by the Bigods of Felbridge 6 The Manour of Barkway hereby appertain'd also to those Lords Scales a well known through-fare Beyond which is Barley that imparted sirname to the ancient and well ally'd family of the Barleys and on this side Anestie which was not long since the inheritance of the house of York and in elder times the Castle there was a nest of rebels wherefore Nicholas of Anestie Lord thereof was expresly commanded by Henry 3. to demolish so much of it as they rais'd since the Barons wars against his father King John But now time hath wholly rased it all Lower eastward standeth Ashwell â—â—hwell that is the Fountain among Ashes a good large country village and full of houses It stands just upon the northern border of the County in a low ground and is famous for Springs which here break forth out of the side of a stony bank or creek covered all over and shaded with tall Ashes Hence the water flows continually in so large a quantity that it 's whole current being at a small distance collected into a chanel serves to drive a Mill and quickly after becomes a considerable river From these Wells and Ashes together as it is most certain that the English-Saxons imposed this modern name of Ashwell so I was formerly of opinion that the ancient Britains who were wont to give divine honours to mountains rivers fountains and groves as Gildas hath observed had accordingly on the same account and in the very same sense given to this place the name of Magioninium and that it was the old Magioninium of Antoninus But a He has upon second thoughts plac'd it at Dunstaple in Bedfordshire time hath now informed me better and I am not asham'd to change my opinion in this point it is not my humour to be fond of my own mistakes And yet this place has its Antiquity evidenc'd by a large square fortification hard by which by the Roman coins there frequently found shows whose work it has been Also in Domesday-book which contains the Survey of all England taken by William the Conquerour above 500 years ago it is expresly termed a Borrough More to the South I saw Baldoc Bâ—â—doc a Market-town seated upon a whitish sort of soil concerning which place as well as its neighbour Hitching Antiquity is wholly silent b From thence is Wimondley Wimondlâ—y seated in a well-câ—ltivated
new name an ancient Altar was found among the rubbish of an old Castle with this Inscription â—c Duplaâ—s Numeri â—xploratoâ—m Bremeâ—i Aram â—stituerunt â—umini eâ—s Capione â—harâ—cimo â—ibuno voâ—â—n solveâ—nt Libâ—nâ—s mereto D. R. S. DVPL N. EXPLOR BREMEN ARAM. INSTITVERVNT NÌ„ EIVS C CAEP CHARITINO TRIB V S L M May we not hence guess that here was that Bremenium â—remenium so industriously and so long sought after which Ptolemy mentions in these parts and from which Antoninus begins his first journey in Britain as from its outmost limit g For the bounds of the Empire were seas great rivers mountains desart and unpassable countries such as this part affords ditches walls empailures and especially castles built in the most suspected places whereof there are here great plenty of remains Indeed since the Barbarians having thrown down Antoninus Pius's Wall in Scotland widely spoil'd this Country and Hadrian's Wall lay unheeded till Severus's time we may believe the limits of the Roman Empire were in this place and hence the old Itinerary that goes under the name of Antoninus begins here as à Limite i. at the furthest bounds of the Empire But the addition of i. à vallo is a gloss of the transcriber's since Bremenium lies fourteen miles northward from the Wall unless we take it to be one of those Field-stations already mention'd to have been built beyond the Wall in the Enemy's Country To the south of old Bremenium within five miles Battel of Otterburn 1388. lies Otterburn where a stout engagement happen'd betwixt the Scots and English Victory three or four times changing sides and at last fixing with the Scots for Henry Percy for his youthful forwardness by-nam'd Whot-spur who commanded the English was himself taken prisoner and lost fifteen hundred of his men and William Douglas the Scotch General fell with the greatest part of his army so that never was there a greater instance of the martial prowess of both Nations h A little lower the river Rhead washes or rather has almost wash'd away another Town of venerable antiquity now call'd Risingham Risingham which in the old-English and high-Dutch languages signifies as much as Giants-Town as Risingberg in Germany is Giants-Hill i There are here many remains of antiquity The Inhabitants report that the placc was long defended by the god Magon against a certain Soldane or Pagan Prince Nor is the story wholly groundless for that such a god was here worship'd appears from these two Altars lately taken out of the River and thus inscrib'd 〈◊〉 Mogonâ— Cadenoâ— â—â—ini Doâ—â—ini nostri â—ugusti M. â— Secundiâ— Benefiâ—aâ—ius Conâ— Habiâ—ici Priâ—â— tam â—se 〈◊〉 posuit DEO MOGONTI CAD ET N. DN AVG. M. G. SECVNDINVS BF COS. HABITA NCI PRIMAS TA PRO SE ET SVIS POSVIT DEO MOVNO CAD INVENTVS DO V. S. From the former of these some guess may be made that the place was called Habitancum and that he who erected it was Pensioner to a Consul and Mayor of the Town For that the chief Magistrates of Cities â—rimas Towns and Forts were call'd Primates the Codex Theodosii will abundantly teach us Whether this god were the tutelar Deity of the Gadeni whom Ptolemy makes next neighbours to the Ottadini I am not yet able to determine let others enquire Here were also found the following Inscriptions for which among others we are indebted to the famous Sir Rob. Cotton of Conington Knight who very lately saw and copy'd them D. M. BLESCIVS DIOVICVS FILIAE SVAE VIX SIT AN. I. ET DIES XXI CVI PRAEEST M PEREGRINIVS SVPER TRIB COH I. VANG FECIT CVRANTE IVL. PAVLO TRIB DEAE TER TIANAE SA CRVM AEL TIMOTHEA P. V. S. LL. M. HERCV LI IVL. PAVLLVS T R I B. V. S. AVR. ANTONI NI PII AVG. M MESSORIVS DILIGENS TRIBVNVS SACRVM As also what exceeds all the rest in finery of the work a long Table thus curiously engraven and by the h And yet our Author places Viniolana their station at Winchester a great distance from hence Why then should another Inscription found at Rochester with a word in it that looks like bremâ—nium so forcibly prove that this was the old name of that place fourth Cohort of the Gallic Troops dedicated to the Sacred Majesty of the Emperours But to return A little lower Rhead with several other brooks that have joyn'd it runs into Tine and so far reaches Rhedesdale which as Doomsday-Book informs us the Umfranvils held in Fee and Knights Service of the King for guarding the Dale from Robbers All over the Wasts Wasts as they call them as well as in Gillesland you see as it were the ancient Nomades Nomades a Martial sort of people that from April to August lye in little Hurts which they call Sheals heals and Shealings here and there dispers'd among their Flocks From hence North-Tine passes by Chipches Chipcâ—â—â— a little Fort formerly belonging to the Umfranvils then to the 4 Hairuns new commonly call'd Heron. Herons k and not far from the small Castle of Swinborn Swinbâ—â—â— which gave name to a Family of note and was sometime part of the Barony of William Heron afterwards the seat of the Woderingtons and so comes to the Wall which is cross'd at Collerford Collerâ—â—â—â— by a Bridge of Arches where are still to be seen the ruins of the large Fort of Wallwick Ciâ—urnâ—â— If Cilurnum where the second wing of the Astures lay in garison was not here it was in the neighbourhood at Scilcester in the Wall â—â—ester â—reden where after Sigga a Nobleman had treacherously slain Elfwald King of Northumberland the Religious built a Church and dedicated it to Cuthbert and Oswald Oswald which last has so far out-done the other that the old name being quite lost the place is now call'd S. Oswald's This Oswald King of Northumberland being ready to give Battel to l Cedwall the Britain so Bede calls him whom the British Writers name Caswallon King â—dwalla â— Caswalâ— as it should seem of Cumberland erected a Cross and humbly on his knees begg'd of Christ that he would afford his heavenly assistance to those that now call'd on his name and presently with a loud voice thus address'd himself to the Army â—de l. 3. c 2. â—out the â—â—r 634. â—ristianiâ— first proâ—â—'d in â—â—rthumâ—â—â—land Let us all on our knees beseech the Almighty Living and True God mercifully to defend us from our proud and cruel Enemy We do not find says Bede that any Banner of the Christian Faith any Church any Altar was ever erected in this Country before this new General following the dictates of a devout Faith and being to engage with a most inhumane Enemy set up this Standard of the Holy Cross For after Oswald had in this Battel experienc'd that effectual assistance of Christ which he had pray'd for he immediately turn'd Christian
John John Norris the General desiring that he would not proceed roughly against him and push him on into a rebellion against his will Yet these letters of his to Norris were intercepted by Bagnall the Marshal and as the Earl afterwards complained suppressed with much loss to him For he was presently after publickly declared an enemy and traitor to his Country 17 Both in Irish and English and pardon offered to all that would submit 1595 June 1â— By this time the Rebels in Ulster amounted to 1000 horse or thereabouts and 6280 foot in Conaght to 2300 all likewise at the entire disposal of the Earl and many of them acquainted with discipline ever since that 18 Sir Jâ—hn J. Perrot the Lord Deputy had commanded every Lord of Ulster to raise and exercise a certain number of men to withstand the inroads of the Island Scots or else being such as had served in the wars of the Low-countries and were imprudently transported hither by his means The number likewise of the English army under the command of 19 Sir John J. Norris so 20 For the Queen had selected him as a man of especial trust and reputation to be used martially in such Journeys as the Deputy himself in person could not undertake in consideration that he had performed divers honourable sâ—rvices was now President of Mounster and had formerly commanded the Britain companies which were to serve principally in this action eminent in the wars of Flanders was not much inferiour Yet nothing was atchieved of any note on either side by reason of a misunderstanding between the General and the Deputy so that the Campaign was spent in ravages cessations and parleys only Without doubt both being men of arms were for prolonging the war and as for the Earl he daily expected a reinforcement out of Spain Of these parleys the most memorable was that between 21 Sir Henry Henry Wallop Treasurer of this Realm and 22 Sir Robert Rob. Gardner Chief Justice persons of great gravity and approved wisdom appointed Commissioners on our side and the Earl of Ter-Oen and O-Donell on the other wherein they and others of the Rebels summ'd up all their grievances and demands The Earl complained that 23 Sir Henry Bagnall the Marshal had still reap'd the fruits of his labours that by his false suggestions and artifice he had quite ruin'd him in the Queen's favour and sullied his honour that to his great prejudice he had intercepted the letters he writ to the Lord-Deputy Norris and some others and detained his wifes portion from him protesting that he had never enter'd into any Treaty with foreign Princes till such time as he was proclaimed Rebel and humbly entreating that his own crimes and those of his adherents might be pardoned that they might be restored to their estates and enjoy the free exercise of their religion which by the by was ever allowed them that the Marshal might pay him 1000 l. sterling in consideration of his wife's portion now deceased that no Garison Sheriff or any Officer whatsoever might have to do within his County that the Commission which the Queen had formerly given for a troop of 50 horse might be restored and that those who had pillaged his people might be punished O-Donell after he had rehears'd the loyalty of his Forefathers to the Kings of England complained that one Boin a Captain was sent by Perrot the Lord Deputy with a troop of soldiers into his Province under the pretence of civilizing his people and that after his father had received him kindly and assigned him such and such towns for quarters he was barbarously injurious to him in every thing and preferr'd a Bastard to the dignity of O-Donell that the same Lord Deputy laid a ship in wait and afterwards intercepted that very man clapt him in prison notwithstanding his innocence and there unjustly detained him till at last by God s mercy he was set at liberty That moreover the Lord Deputy Fitz-Williams had kept 24 Sir Owen Owen O-Toole the greatest man in these parts excepting O-Donell a close prisoner seven years together notwithstanding he went upon their Parol and was indeed innocent that he was intolerably oppressive to his poor neighbours in Fermanaugh and that he had no other way for preserving his safety hereafter than by assisting his neighbours now in their necessity He likewise required what the Earl did also demanded certain Castles and Possessions in the County of Slego that he pretended belonged to him Shan Mac-Brian Mac-Phelim O-Neal next made his complaint that the Earl of Essex had taken the Isle of Magie from him and that 25 Sir Henry Henry Bagnall had deprived him of the Barony of Maughery-Mourn which were both enjoyed by his Ancestors that he was kept in fetters till he surrender'd his right to Bagnall beside the numberless injuries he had received from the Garison of Knoc-Fergus Hugh Mac-Guir shewed them likewise what he had suffered by the insolent outrages of the neighbouring Garison in making booty of his Cattle and that the Sheriff who was sent into his territories had cut off the head of his nearest Relation and trod upon it with scorn Brian Mac-Hugh Oge Mac-Mahon and Ever Mac-Câ—uley exhibited that besides other wrongs the Lord Deputy 26 Sir William Fitz-Williams whose goodness or honesty always gave place to his covetousness was induced by corruption and bribery to establish Hugh Roe in the dignity of Mac-Mahon and after that hanged him for raising a fine by force of arms according to the custom of the country upon which he had laid it and divided his inheritance among strangers to extinguish the very name of Mac-Mahon In one word every man was Petitioner for some thing or other after this manner On the other side the Commissioners having allow'd some of their demands and thought others might be referred to the Queen proposed certain articles to the rebels 27 That they should lay down their arms disperse their forces acknowledge submissively their disloyalties admit Sheriffs in their Governments re-edifie the Fâ—rts they had defaced suffer the garisons to live without disturbance make restitution of spoils taken confess upon their oath how far they have dealt with foreign Princes and renounce all foreign aid c. But they had grown so insolent by this time that they thought them unreasonable and so broke off after the suspension of arms they had agreed upon Whereas the Queen both then and afterwards had condescended to these terms and would have done to any other that were not inconsistent with her honour purely to save as much blood and money as she could 〈◊〉 Geâ—â—â—aâ— of â—â—e Army The time of cessation being now expired Norris who by the Queen's order had the whole command of the Army conferr'd upon him by the Lord Deputy during his absence advanc'd with his Army towards the Earl However the Lord Deputy joyn'd him and so with great terrour
so Boethius in his Character of them puts both these properties together saying of them Quod erant Corporibus robustissimis candidisque the like sayeth Verstegan of them that they were tall and strong of body and of a fair complexion and so it is at this very hour there being no people in Scotland that more resemble the Picts in these qualities than the generality of our Orkney men and women do being generally strong built and very beautiful and lovely Or the Romans might have called them Picti because being a people much delighting in wars they had their Shields painted with divers colours for Alex. ab Alex. lib. 2. gen dier cap. 22. observes that it was the way of the German Nation so to do saying Germani Scuta Lectissimis coloribus distinxere Though I think it more probable they were called so because to make themselves more terrible to their enemies they used to paint their Bodies with the Images of divers Beasts or imprint them on their Flesh with some Iron Instruments which has given occasion to Claudian to say of them Ferroque notas Perlegit exanimes Picto moriente figuras And various figures on their Bodies spie While dying Picts upon the ground did lie But at what time these Picts first planted these Isles is somewhat controverted by our writers some say that in the year of the World 4867 the Picts having left their native Country to seek out some new habitation to themselves came first to Orkney where they left a Colony to plant the Country and then with their main body ferrying over Pictland-firth and passing through Caithness Ross Murray Marr and Angus at last settled themselves in Fife and Louthian which from them by our Writers is called Pictlandia Others more probably think that the Picts did not settle here till the time of Reuther King of Scots at which time the Scots by an intestine division warring upon one another each party being assisted by a considerable number of the Picts they fought so desperately that besides Gethus King of Picts the greatest number of both the Scots and Pictish Nobility were killed together with many thousands of the Commons of both Nations Which great slaughter with the invasion of the Britons at the same time constrained the Picts who perceived themselves unable to resist them to fly some by land and others by sea to Orkney where they abode for a time and made Gothus the brother of the foresaid Gethus to be their King And after a few years having left some of their number to people and plant the Countrey they returned to Louthian and having expelled the Britons settled themselves again in their ancient possessions The Countrey being thus planted the People grew and multiplied and for a long time were governed by Kings of their own after the manner of the Picts and other Nations There is still a place in this Countrey that by reason of its name and antick form should seem to have been the Residence of some of those Kings for it is called Cuningsgar though now it is appropriate to be a dwelling house to the Reverend Minister of Sandwick But the memory of the Names and Actions of these Kings are by the iniquity of time and carelesness of our Writers buried in silence Only we find mention made of two Belus King of Orkney Holinshed calls him Bladus and Boethius Balus but it is more likely he was called Belus for there is at this time a stone in the Kirk of Birsa where probably the King had his principal Residence as at this hour one of our Kings chiefest palaces is remaining having this name Belus engraven on it in ancient Characters This Prince upon what provocation is not recorded levied an Army and crossing Pictland Firth invaded Caithness and Ross making prey of all he met with But Ewen the second being at that time King of Scotland hearing of this Invasion came with his Army so unexpectedly upon him and assaulted him so vigorously that he put his soldiers to flight a great many escaping by boat but Belus himself was put to that strait that he slew himself lest he should fall into the Enemies hands After him we read of another King of Orkney called Ganus in the time of Caratacus King of Scots and of whom it is reported that Claudius Caesar being in England after he had setled the Roman interest there anno Christi 43. took a resolution to invade and subdue Orkney pretending that that people had assisted the Scots against him but indeed that he might get some glory to himself by vanquishing so remote a people and so he comes with his navy and forces to this Country where though the people did resist him manfully yet being overpowered they were at last vanquished and their King Ganus with his wife and children apprehended and carried with him to Rome where they with some noble Britans were led in triumph This History Boethius reports out of Beda Suetonius Eutropius besides some later writers also Hardmannus Schedel in his General History of the several ages of the World speaking of the Emperor Claudius says Quod insulas Orchades Romano adjecit imperio sexto quo profectus erat mense Romam rediit triumphavit maximo apparatu This Juvenal takes notice of when he says in his second Satyr Littora Jubernae promovimus modo captas Orcadas minima contentos nocte Britannos We went to Orkney and the Strathiern coast And Britans who of shortest night do boast A little after the Romans had not such cause to triumph over Orkney for when Agricola was their General Britain Anno Christi 87 as Hendry Isaacson computes it in his Chronological Tables he sent a Navy to sail about Britain to discover the largeness of it or whether it was an Isle or not and after they had coasted many days towards the North they came at last in sight of Orkney which Tacitus for want of better information imagines to be unknown before that time but dredaing to pass through Pightland Firth for fear of shallows they seized some of the Husbandmen that lived in the next Islands constraining them to go aboard and pilot them through the Firth But they suspecting that the Romans had a hostile design on their Country and not caring for their own lives entered the strait at such an inconvenient time that the ships were born with the violence of the stream against the rocks and shelves so that they were all almost torn broke and lost without recovery only some few of the Navy that were not so hasty to follow perceiving the sad loss of their fellows returned by the same way they came and reported these lamentable tidings to Agricola And indeed there is a place in Shapinsha over against which are impetuous tides and dangerous shallows at this day called Agricola but whether it got that name from this accident I am not able to determine But yet it seems that Orkney was a considerable thing in the
booâ— of Englâ—â—â— Orthogâ—â—phy then our m And if that be a good bottom so may the English too several of whose words are shewn by some late Lexicographers to have a near affinity with the Greek But which is more even in point of Idiom there do not want instances to shew an Analogy between them So 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Hesychius is our heart of a tree 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to take in hand with us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to put in mind 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Lucian to be led by the nose 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Diogenes Laertius to make water 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he left speaking 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Isocrates his tongue runs before his wit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 among the Greek Adagies collected by Schottus a rope of sand 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a rowling stone gathers no moss Britains may glory in their Language since it hath in it a great many words that are deriv'd from a Greek original But the learned Sir Thomas Smyth Secretary to Queen Elizabeth attributes it rather to this accident that when all the rest of Europe was disturb'd and harrass'd with war a great number of Greeks fled hither for their own security Thus you have my thoughts n The same Author that has express'd his dissatisfaction in Mr. Camden's Brith-tania has left us a conjecture of his own no less plausible than learned viz. that it comes from Brydio signifying in British fervere ashlare fervâ—scere calâ—facere calefieri c. pointing out the heat and violent motion of this Sea so much talkt of by Authors By one 't is call'd Oceanus barbaris fluctibus fremens by another 't is said horrendis attolii aestibus And the Irish Sea is called by Solinius undosus inquietus toto in anno so he goes on non nisi pauculis diebus est navigabile Giraldus Cambrensis follows him and gives us almost the same description of it and Camden in his account of this matter has shown these Seas to have been famous for their ruggedness See him in Kent and in his Discourse upon the British Isles Now since this quality of our Seas has been in all ages so eminent since also the British Brydio so fully expâ—esses that quality we must at least allow this conjecture a good share of probability Doubtless â—rom the same original was their Bâ—ydamaeth iracundia servor c. which leads us naturally to Brydain in Saxon Brytane and with us Britain and perhaps my mistakes concerning the original of the people and the name of Britain If they are false may the discovery of truth show it In this intricate and obscure search after Antiquities he even merits that errs but a little and it often happens that things which at first sight and upon slight thoughts we think false appear very true upon a more serious consideration If I were to appear before Truth her self as a Judge I could say no more In the mean time as for our Countrymen the Britains I do with all possible earnestness entreat the learned part of them to employ in this enquiry their utmost care diligence and intention of mind that so at the appearance of truth all those conjectures may vanish like mists before the sun The Manners of the BRITAINS AS for the affairs of the Britains in elder times their State and Government their Laws and Customs we were promised a treatise of them by Mr. Daniel Rogers an excellent man and eminent for his learning to whom I am particularly obliged but he being snatch'd away by an untimely death before he had done any thing upon this subject I will here present the Reader with these few Memoirs concerning their old Customs Manners and Customs of the Britains took word for word out of antient Authors Caesar The mony us'd by the Britains is brass or iron * Annulis in the text sâ—me read laminis rings after a certain set weight instead of it They think it unlawful to taste hares hens and geese however they keep them for their delight and pleasure The most civiliz'd by far of them are those who inhabit Kent a country which lyes all along upon the sea-coast where they are not much different from the Gauls in customs Many of the inland people sow no corn but live upon milk and flesh they are cloathed with skins All the Britains dye themselves with Woad which makes them of a skie colour and thereupon the more terrible in battle They wear their hair long upon their head and upper lip but close and bare in all other parts of the body a They have ten or twelve of them Wives together in common especially brothers with one another and parents with their children but then if any of the women bring forth the child is counted his only who first marry'd her In battles their way is generally to fight in * Essedis Chariots Way of fighting in Chariots First they scoure up and down in them and fling darts and so many times disorder the enemies ranks by the terrour of their horses and the noise of their chariot wheels When they once wind themselves in among the horse they light from their chariots and fight on foot The Coachmen in the mean time retire and place themselves so that their masters may readily find them to mount again in case they are overpower'd by the number of the enemy Thus they perform both the speed and quickness of the horse and the steadiness of the foot in battle and by daily use and practice are so expert at it that upon the side of a steep hill they can stop their horses at full speed and take them up presently can turn and run along upon the beam rest upon the yoke and from thence whip presently into their chariots They often likewise give ground and retreat on purpose and when at a little distance from our Legions dismount from their chariots and fight the enemy at disadvantage The method of their Cavalry was such that it proved equally dangerous to pursue or to be pursued by them Moreover they never fought close and thick together but thin and at some considerable distance having others posted in certain order so that one might succour another and the wearied might be reliev'd and succeeded with fresh supplies Strabo The Britains in stature exceed the Gauls and their hair is not so yellow nor their bodies so well set Let this be an argument of their tallness that I my self have seen at Rome some young men of them taller by half a foot than any other men Yet their legs were but weak and the other parts of the body shew'd them to be not well made nor handsome In their nature they partly resemble the Gauls but in some things more plain and barbarous so that some of them have not the art to make cheese tho' they have much milk others of them know neither the art of
having now conquer'd all Gaule casts his eye towards the Ocean as if the Roman world was not of extent enough that so having subdu'd all both by sea and land he might joyn those Countreys by conquests which nature her self had sever'd And in the 54th year before Christ Pomponius Sabinus out of Seneca he makes an expedition into Britain either provoked by the supplies from thence sent into Gaule during the course of that war or because they had received the Bellovaci who had retir'd hither or else as Suetonius writes excited by the hopes of British pearls the weight and bigness whereof he was wont to poise and try in his hand but rather for the sake of glory as is easily credible since he rejected the offers of the British Embassadors who having notice of his design came to him promising they would give hostages and be subject to the Roman Empire Take his entrance into the Island abridg'd out of his own words The places ports and havens of Britaine being not well known to Caesar he sends C. Volusenus before with a Galley who having made what discovery he could in five days returns to him The Britains having intelligence of Caesars intended expedition by the merchants many cities among them sent Embassadors into Gaul to offer him hostages and their obedience to the Romans Being exhorted to continue in that resolution he dismisses them together with Comius Atrebatensis who had great authority in those parts for the Atrebates had before left Gaul and seated themselves there that he might persuade them to continue true and faithful to the Romans But he upon his first landing was imprison'd by the Britains In the mean time Caesar having drawn together about 80 transport-ships for the two legions and about 18 more for the horse sets sail from the country of the Morini at three in the morning and about four the day following arrived in Britain at a place inconvenient for landing for the sea was narrow and so pent in by mountains that they could cast their darts from thence upon the shore beneath Having therefore got wind and tide both at once favourable he set sail and went about eight miles farther and there in a plain and open shore rid at anchor The Britains perceiving his design dispatched their horse and chariots to keep the Romans from landing Here the Romans underwent much difficulty for those great ships could not ride close enough to the shore in this shallow sea so that the Soldiers were forced to leap down in unknown places and under heavy armor from those high ships and contend at the same time with the waves and enemy On the other side the Britains who knew the nature of the place were free and uncumber'd and fought either on the dry ground or but a very little way in the water So that the Romans were daunted and fought not with the same heart and spirit they us'd to do But Caesar commanded the transport-ships to be remov'd and the galleys to be row'd up * Ad apertum latus just over-against the Britains and the slings engines and arrows to be thence employ'd against them The Britains being terrify'd with the form of the ships the rowing of them and with the strangeness of the Engines gave ground At the same time an Ensign of the tenth Legion beseeching the Gods that his design might prove successful to the Legion and exhorting his fellow-soldiers to leap down unless they would forsake their Eagle and suffer it to be took by the enemy for that he would do his duty to his Country and to his General immediately jumps out and advances with his Eagle towards the enemy all thereupon follow him nay Caesar himself first if we 'll believe Julian In the Caesars Now began a resolute fight on both sides but the Romans being cumber'd with arms toss'd with the waves wanting footing and withall confus'd were strangely disorder'd till Caesar made the Pinnaces and ship-boats ply about with recruits to succour them As soon as the Romans got sure footing on dry ground they charg'd the Britains and quickly put them to flight but could not pursue them their horse being not yet arriv'd The Britains upon this defeat presently sent Embassadors and with them Comius Atrebatensis whom they had imprison'd to desire peace laying the fault upon the rabble and their own imprudence Caesar upon this soon pardon'd them commanding hostages to be given him which he receiv'd in part together with their promise to deliver the rest after This peace was concluded on the fourth day after his landing in Britain At the same time those eighteen ships wherein the horse were transported just as they were in sight of Britain were suddenly by stress of a storm then arising driven to the westward and had enough to do to recover the continent of France The same night the moon then at full the galleys which were drawn to shore were filled by the tide and the ships of burthen which lay at anchor so shaken by the storm that they were altogether unfit for service This being known to the British Princes namely how the Romans wanted horse ships and provision they revolted and resolved to hinder them from forraging But Caesar suspecting what indeed happen'd took care to bring in corn daily and to repair his fleet with the timber of those twelve which were most shatter'd While Affairs stood in this posture the seventh Legion which was sent out to forage and then busie at it was suddenly set upon by the Britains and encompass'd with their horse and Chariots Fighting in Chariots Their way of fighting in these Chariots as I have already observ'd is this First they drive up and down and fling their darts and often disorder the ranks of the enemy with the terror and hurry of their horse and Chariots and if they once get within the ranks of the horse they light from their Chariots and fight on foot The Coach-men draw off a little in the mean time and place their Chariots in such order that in case their masters are over-power'd by a numerous enemy they may readily retire thither So that they perform at once the speed and readiness of horse and the stability of foot and are so expert by daily use and exercise that on the side of a steep hill they can take up and turn run along upon the beam stand upon the yoke and from thence whip into their Chariots again But Caesar coming luckily to their relief the Romans took heart again and the British stood astonish'd who in hopes of freeing themselves for ever by reason of the small number of the Romans and the scarcity of provisions among them had assembled together in great numbers and march'd to the Roman Camp where Caesar engag'd them put them to flight slew many of them and burnt all their houses for a great way together The very same day the British Embassadors address themselves for peace to Caesar and he grants
it them doubling their hostages and commanding them to be sent into Gaul Soon after the Aequinox being now at hand he set sail from Britain and arriv'd safe with his whole fleet in the Continent Whither only two Cities in Britain sent their hostages the rest neglected it Upon Caesar's letters and account to the Senate of what he had done here a procession of twenty days was decreed him Dio. lib. 39. though he gain'd nothing of consequence either to himself or Rome but only the glory of making the expedition BRITANNIA Romana The next year having prepar'd a great fleet for with transport-ships and private vessels built by particular men for their own use it consisted of above 800 sail with five legions and two thousand horse he set sail from Portus Itius and landed his army in the same part of the Island where he did the foregoing summer But not so much as an enemy to be seen now for though the Britains had been there in great numbers yet terrify'd by this navy they had retir'd into the upland country Here Caesar encamps his army as conveniently as he could leaving ten cohorts and three hundred horse to guard the ships And in the night marching himself twelve miles up into the Country finds out the Britains who retreated as far as the river but gave him battle there being repulsed by the Roman cavalry they betook themselves to the woods which were fortified both by art and nature But the Romans * Testudine facta locking their shields together like a roof close over head and others raising a mount took the place and drove them from the woods however they pursu'd them no farther as having their Camp to fortifie that night The day after Caesar sent his army in three bodies to pursue the Britains but soon recall'd them upon the news that his fleet was the night before wreckt torn and cast upon the shore by storm So returning to the ships he drew them to land in ten days time and entrench'd them within the circuit of his camp and then went back to the same wood from whence he came Here the Britains had posted themselves with great reinforcements under the conduct of Cassivellaun or Cassibelin Cassibelin who by publick consent was made their Prince and General Their horse and Chariots encounter'd the Romans in their march with much loss on both sides After some pause as the Romans were took up in fortifying their camp the Britains fell upon those that kept guard with great fierceness and charg'd back again through two Cohorts which with the best of two Legions Caesar had sent to their assistance and so made a safe retreat The day following the Britains began to appear very thin here and there upon the hills but at noon Caesar having sent out three legions and all his horse to forage they set upon them yet were repulsed at last with great slaughter And now those aids they had got together went off and left them so that the Britains never after encounter'd the Romans with their full power From hence Caesar march'd with his army to the River Thames The River Thames towards the territories of Cassivellaun where upon the other side of the river he found a great army of the Britains drawn up having fasten'd sharp stakes in the bottom of the river to make the passage more difficult However the Romans wading it up to the neck went over so resolutely that the Britains left their posts and fled but not for fear of tower-back'd Elephants as Poliaenus has it Cassivellaun despairing now of any good success by fighting retains with him only four thousand Charioteers and resolves to watch the motion of the Romans sallying out upon their horse when at any time they happen'd to separate and straggle in their foraging and so kept them from ranging much in the Country In the mean time the Trinobantes The Trinobantes surrender themselves to Caesar desiring he would protect Mandubratius call'd by Eutropius and Bede out of some lost pieces of Suetonius Androgorius Mandubratius also call'd Androgeus and by our Britains Androgeus against Cassivellaun and send him to rule over them Caesar sends him demanding forty hostages and provision for his army By their example the Cenimagni Segontiaci Ancalites Bibroci and the Cassii likewise yield themselves to Caesar from whom learning that Cassivellaun's town was not far off fortified with woods and fens he goes and assaults it in two places The Britains fled out at another side yet many of them were taken and cut off In the mean time at the command of Cassivellaun four petty Kings of Kent Cingetorix Carvilius Taximagulus and Segonax fell upon the Camp wherein the Romans had intrench'd their Shipping yet the Romans issuing out upon them repell'd them taking Cingetorix Prisoner Cassivellaun upon so many defeats but mov'd particularly by the revolt of those Cities sent Embassadors with Comius Atrebatensis to Caesar to treat of a surrender He having resolv'd to winter in the continent demands hostages and appoints a yearly tribute to be paid from Britain to the Romans ordering Cassivellaun to do nothing prejudicial to Mandubratius or the Trinobantes and so transports his whole army with a great number of captives at two embarkments Thus much from Caesar of his own War in Britain Eutropius from some pieces of Suetonius now lost adds farther Scaeva one of Caesar's soldiers and four more with him came over before in a little ship to a rock near the Island and were there left by the tide The Britains in great numbers fell upon these few Romans yet the rest of his companions got back again Still Scaeva continues undaunted overcharg'd with weapons on all sides first resisting them with his spear and after with his sword fighting there single against a multitude And when he was at length both wearied and wounded and had had his helmet and buckler beat out of his hand he swam off with two coats of mail to Caesar's Camp where he begg'd pardon for his rashness and was made a Centurion When Caesar first came to this Island Athenaeus he was so moderate and so far from the pomp and state of our present age that Cotas who was the greatest Officer in his camp but one says in his Greek Commentary concerning the Commonwealth of Rome that all his retinue was but three servants When he was in Britain says Seneca and could not endure his greatness should be confin'd within the Ocean he had the news of his daughter's death and the publick calamities like to follow thereupon yet he soon overcame his grief as he did every thing else Returning Conqueror from Britain Pliny he offers to Venus Genetrix in her Temple a Corslet of British Pearls Some of his British captives he appointed for the Theater Servius Honoratus and certain tapestry hangings wherein he had painted his British Victories These were often took away by the Britains being the persons
plagu'd them with soldiers and Officers the other with extortion and affronts That they could be safe of nothing that either lust or covetousness would recommend to the Romans That in war he had the spoil who had the most courage and bravery to take it but that they were for the most part pillaged by cowards and weaklings That these were the men that bereft them of their children and press'd them at their pleasure for foreign service as if the Britains could fight for any country but their own How many soldiers have they transported hither if we reckon our selves in comparison Germany freed it self upon this consideration which has only a river to defend it and not an Ocean as we have Thus they had their Country wives and parents to fight for and inspirit them while the other had only luxury and avarice That these would retreat as Julius did if they would but follow the bravery of their Ancestors They ought not to be dismay'd at the success of one or two battles and that fierceness and resolution was the effects of misery and ill circumstances That Heaven now seemed to compassionate their distress in absenting the Roman General and keeping the Legate busie in another Island That the most dangerous part of this design was to debate it as they were now doing and that it would be of worse consequence to be discovered laying such a plot than the very attempt and execution would prove Being animated with these motives they forthwith take arms under the conduct of Boodicia a woman of the royal family for the Britains make no distinction of sex in points of Government drawing the Trinobantes to revolt with them and such others as were not yet broken with the weight of a sovereign yoke who all had secretly conspired to free themselves with great spight and hatred against the Veterans For they being newly planted in the colony Camalodunum Colony oâ— Camaâ—â—dunum had thrust the old Inhabitants from their houses and dispossessed them of their lands calling them Slaves and Captives and were encouraged in this outrage by the young soldiers who by the same calling were in hopes of the same licentiousness themselves Moreover the Temple built in honour of Divus Claudius seemed to them the foundation of a perpetual tyranny and was an eye-sore and the Priests chosen vnder the pretext of religion to officiate there run away with their whole estates Besides there could be no great difficulty in overthrowing a Colony which had no forts or castles to support it and that our Commanders had been so improvident as to consult pleasure and delight in every thing rather than use and service While things were in this ferment the image of the Goddess of Victory at Camalodunum See â—â—â—lin in 〈◊〉 without any visible cause drop'd down and in the fall turn'd downward as if it yielded to the enemy Several Enthusiastick women foretold our approaching destruction Strange noises were heard in their court a perfect howling in the theatre and a strange apparition * Pâ—â—haps in Thames in the arm of the sea plainly signified the subversion of that colony Moreover the sea look'd bloody and in the ebb dead mens bodies were left upon the shore which brought great hopes to the Britains but despair and discouragement to the Veterans who applied themselves to their Procurator Catus Decianus because Suetonius was far off He sent them a supply of two hundred men only and those ill armed whereas the soldiers that were in the Colony before were but few and rely'd wholly upon the protection of the Temple Some of them that were privy to the Conspiracy had blinded the Colony so much in their counsels that they had neither made trench nor ditch to defend themselves nor so much as sent away the old men and the women reserving the young men only so that living supinely as in a full peace they mere surprised by the barbarous multitude As for other things they were presently overthrown by violence or consumed with fire but the Temple where the soldiers had fled was besieged and on the second day taken The Britains being thus Conquerors and meeting Petilius Cerealis Petilius Cerealis Lieutenant of the ninth Legion which came to succour them routed the Legion and put all the foot to the sword Cerealis got off with the horse and retreated to his camp where he defended himself Catus the Procurator was so daunted at this overthrow and the general odium of the Province which was thus embroiled by his avarice that he sail'd into Gaul Suetonius however with prodigious constancy and resolution marched through the midst of the enemies Country to London which was not honoured with the name of a Colony but famous for concourse of merchants and * Et commeatu alias commeatuum provisions Being come thither he could hardly resolve whether to make that the seat of the war or not but considering his want of soldiers and how much Petilius had suffered for his rashness he determined at last to sacrifice this one town to the safety of the rest And not relenting to the sighs and tears of them that sought his aid and protection he gave orders to march on receiving such as followed him into his army Those who by weakness of sex or age were stay'd behind or tempted by the pleasantness of the place to remain there were destroyed by the enemy The town of Verulam was overthrown likewise for the barbarians omitting the forts * Praesidiisque militarium alià s militaribus and castles pillaged the richest places first †Et dâ—ferentes in tutum alià s defendentibus in tutum and after they had carried off the spoil went on eagerly for booty to the more eminent places It appear'd that seventy thousand citizens and confederates were slain up and down in these places They would not sell captives give quarter or practise according to the Laws of war but kill hang burn crucifie by way of retaliation upon their enemies and all that in such haste as if they foresaw they must speedily smart for it Suetonius having with him the fourteenth Legion with the Standard-bearers of the twentieth and some supplies from the places thereabouts almost to the number of ten thousand fighting men resolved without more ado to engage them and to this purpose encamps his Army in a place accessable by a narrow lane only being fenced in the rear by a wood as sensible he should have no Enemy but on the front and that the plain was open so that there would be no danger of Ambuscades in it He drew up the Legion close together in the middle with the light soldiers on both sides and the horse as the two wings about them The Britains went shouting and swarming up and down in such vast numbers as never before were seen so fierce and confident of victory that their Wives were brought along with them and placed in carts in the outmost part of the
Caelius him with the ruine and beggery of the Legions During these quarrels and contentions all sense of respect and deference was lost in the Army At last the disorder was so great that Trebellius being deserted by the wings of his Army and the cohorts who went over to Caelius and lastly reviled and affronted by the Auxiliaries was forced to fly to Vitellius Notwithstanding the absence and removal of the Consular Lieutenant the Province continued quiet and peaceable govern'd by the Lieutenants of the particular Legions all of equal authority though Caelius's boldness gain'd him more sway than the rest During the civil war between Galba Otho and Vitellius Vectius Polanus Propraetor Vectius Bolanus was sent by Vitellius to succeed him He made no reformation of discipline was as little troublesome to the enemy as his predecessor and as careless of the licentiousness of his army only this difference there was that Bolanus was innocent and free from crimes which might make him odious so that instead of awe and authority he had gain'd the love of his Army And although Vitellius sent for some supplies out of Britain yet Bolanus deferred it upon a pretence that Britain was not so well quieted as to admit it But soon after the great esteem of Vespasian in this Province induc'd Britain to declare for him for he had commanded the second Legion here under Claudius and was eminent for his bravery and conduct Yet this revolt was not without opposition from the other Legions in which many Captains and soldiers being advanc'd by Vitellius were very loth to change a Prince who was so well known among them The soldiers of the fourteenth Legion call'd the Conquerors of Britain being remov'd from hence to the Caspian war by Nero and after as they sided with Otho defeated were sent into Britain again by Vitellius but recall'd by Mutianus During this civil war there was no mutinies in the British army And indeed in all the civil wars of the Empire the troops there were more peaceable and quiet than in any other provinces perhaps their distance and separation from the rest of the world by the ocean might cause it or possibly by the many expeditions they had made they might the less relish the entertainment of an enemy Yet by these publick dissentions and the frequent news of them the Britains upon Venusius 's instigation began to think how they might shake off the yoke of that Empire for besides a fierce heady temper that was natural to him and a hatred to the Romans he was spurr'd on in this attempt by a peculiar spight at his Queen Cartismandua Cartismâ—â—dua Cartismandua govern'd the Brigantes nobly descended and more powerful than ever since she had treacherously taken King Caractacus and done Claudius Caesar a kind of triumph by presenting him to that Emperor for that famous shew of Caractacus to the people was a sort of Triumph From hence grew riches and from them luxury so that despising her husband Venusius and having intercepted his relations she made Vellocatus her husband's armour-bearer partner of her bed and throne The Royal family was soon shaken with this wickedness the city adhering to the husband and the Queen's lust and cruelty to the adulterer Venusius therefore having drawn in all the assistance he could and joyn'd the Brigantes who themselves had revolted to him reduc'd her to the last extremities She applied her self to the Romans for relief and after many engagements was at last rescu'd out of dangerous circumstances by our forces However the Kingdom fell to Venusius and the War to us Now Vespasian the Emperor Julius Agricola Lâ—gio xx while Mutianus govern'd the City under Vespasian Julius Agricola who had declar'd for Vespasian and was a person of great integrity and valour was made Commander of the twentieth legion in Britain which had declin'd the Oath for a long time and there he heard that his predecessor had carried himself seditiously For that legion had run a-head and became formidable even to the Consular Legats The Praetorian Legat was not able to rule them but whether through his own ill dispositions or those of the souldiers is uncertain Thus being appointed to succeed him and to punish them he took such an admirable mean as to seem rather to have found them dutiful than to have made them so And though Vectius Bolanus was then Lieutenant here and govern'd more mildly than was fit for so fierce a Province yet Agricola laid a restraint upon himself and smother'd the heat of his own temper that it might not increase and grow visible knowing very well the necessity of complaisance and of mixing his profit with his honour But when Vespasian with the rest of the world had gain'd Britain also he sent great Captains and brave Armies here and the enemies hopes were abated Petilius Cereaiis Propraetor Petilius Cerialis enter'd the country of the Brigantes with great terrour possess'd by the most numerous people of this Province to whom he gave many and some of them very bloody defeats and indeed either spoil'd or conquer'd the greatest part of their country Thus Cerialis seem'd to have eclipsed the fame and conduct of any that could come after him when Julius Frontinus Julius Frontinus Propraetor a great man and as eminent as could be after such a predecessor succeeded to the same charge with like glory He subdued the strong and warlike nation of the Silures where he had not only a stout enemy but great difficulties also from the situation and nature of the country to cope with In this state was Britain and in this posture was the war when Agricola was sent over in the middle of summer Our souldiers minds and hopes were bent upon rest and an end of the war for that year and the enemy intent upon a fair opportunity to begin it The Ordovices a little before the arrival of Agricola had almost entirely routed a wing of ours that was quartered in the frontiers of their country and by this means the whole Province was ready to break out all approving the example either as desirous of war or to see the mind and worth of the new Lieutenant Agricola though the summer was almost over and though his souldiers lay dispers'd up and down the Province expecting no farther trouble for that year all which retarded and cross'd his expedition and though some thought it more advisable to secure such places as were suspicious yet he resolves to forestall these dangers and having drawn together the Ensigns of the Legions and a pretty good body of Auxiliaries and finding the Ordovices durst not come down into the plains he drew up his men and put himself at the head of them that by exposing himself a-like in danger he might make them equally couragious Having almost cut off this whole nation and knowing he must push on to gain a reputation and that every thing hereafter would fall answerable to the event of his
first actions he determines likewise without more ado to make himself master of the Isle of Mona The Island Mona which as I have already said would have been conquer'd by Paulinus if a revolt of the whole Province had not prevented him But this design being not laid before they wanted ships for the expedition which notwithstanding were supplied by the contrivance and resolution of the General He commanded a choice body of auxiliaries who were well acquainted with those shallowes and by the custom of their native country able in swimming to govern themselves their horses and their arms at the same time to throw aside their luggage and march over suddenly Which was so effectually done that the enemy who expected a fleet and were thinking of the ships and the sea that must be first pass'd were surprised and daunted as supposing nothing could be hard or invincible to men that began a war with such resolution Thus a peace was sought the Island surrender'd and Agricola became great and famous as having upon his first entrance a time usually spent in ostentation and ceremony encounter'd so much toil and hazard with such success However Agricola not growing vain upon the success would not allow this to be a Victory or Expedition which was only to keep those in order who were formerly subdued he would not so much as suffer the news of it to be adorn'd with laurel But by this endeavour to conceal his glory he really made it the more eminent every one thinking what strong presumptions he must have of large performances hereafter that would diminish and lessen the greatness of this action Now knowing the disposition and temper of his Province and being taught by the sad experience of others that affairs would never be settled by fighting while wrongs and injuries were permitted he resolves in the next place to cut off the cause of war and to begin at himself first he made a reformation of his own family a thing no less difficult to some than to govern a Province He committed no publick business to the management of his servants or his freemen He would never advance his souldiers upon private and particular ends nor upon the recommendation and intercession of any Captain but would still raise the best taking it for granted that such would be most faithful He had an eye upon every thing but would not rigorously exact performance As for small faults he would pardon them but would severely correct those that were hainous However punishment was not always inflicted by him often the repentance of the offender was took for the offence chusing rather not to prefer such as were like to offend than to have them condemn'd for it He made the payment of corn and tribute which was imposed more easie and tolerable by laying it on equally and cutting off the exactions which were a greater grievance than the tribute it self For the people were compell'd before to wait the opening of the publick Granaries and both to buy and sell their own corn after the rate set to them The Purveyors also would command them to carry it about and into far distant places so that the Country should sometimes carry from the nearest Camps to those which were far off and out of the way till to the particular gain of these every place compounded for carrying where it might most conveniently By a redress of these grievances in the first year of his Lieutenancy he brought peace into some credit which by the neglect or connivance of his predecessors was little less odious than war it self Vespasian dy'd now abouts who upon these victories and his own personal valor under Claudius is thus address'd to by Valerius Flaccus Tuque ô Pelagi qui major aperti Fama Caledonius postquam tua carbasa vexit Oceanus Phrygios prius indignatus Iulos O you whose glorious reign Can boast new triumphs o're the conquer'd main Since your bold navy pass'd the British Sea That scorn'd the Caesars and the Roman sway Titus Emperor When Titus who was the love of the world succeeded his Father Agricola as soon as the Summer came on drew his Army together those who in their march behaved themselves modestly he commended but those who went loose and stragling were reprimanded by him He always chose the place of encampment himself and would still try the friths and thickets first in person and that his own territories might not be pillaged by the enemies he would never give them quiet or leisure by reason of his own excursions and then when he thought he had sufficiently alarm'd them he would give over that they might again tast the happiness of peace By these means many Cities which liv'd upon equal terms till that time gave hostages and submitted themselves receiving our garisons and permitting us to build castles among them which he performed with that care and prudence that these were the only new forts in Britain that were never attempted afterwards The following winter was spent in a wise project For whereas the Britains liv'd after a rude stragling manner and therefore ready to break out into open war upon every occasion that by pleasures he might induce them to rest and quietness he exhorted them privately and publickly assisted them to build Temples places of publick resort and fine houses those that were forward he commended but those who were slow and backward he reproved And thus the honor of being his favorite imposed a kind of necessity upon them Moreover he took care to have Noble mens sons brought up in the knowledge of 〈◊〉 liberal arts preferring the parts of the Britainâ— hâ—◠〈◊〉 â—se of the Gauls so that they who but lately despised the Roman language did now affect and study the graces of it From that time also our modes and dresses became in request among them and the * Toga Gown commonly wore Thus by degrees they came at last to those excitements to debauchery Portico's Baths and Banquets which went by the name of genteelness among the ignorant when they were indeed but badges of their yoke and bondage In the third year of his wars here he discovered new Countreys wasting all along as he marched to the very Taus for that is the aestuary's name Aestuarie of Tauâ— which so terrified the enemy that though our army was sadly harrassed with ill weather yet they durst not give us battle besides he had leisure to build forts and Castles where he pleased It has been observed by the skilful in these arts that no Captain whatsoever has chose out places more to advantage than he did no castle of his raising was ever taken by force surrender'd upon terms or quitted as uncapable of defence Their sallies were frequent and they were always prepar'd with a year's provision against long sieges Thus we winter'd there without fear each one being able to defend it self which disappointed the enemy and made them despair For as formerly they would regain in
winter what they lost in summer they were now worsted alike in both seasons In all these actions Agricola would never rob another of the honor due to him but let him be Captain or whatever other Officer he would faithfully attest the bravery of the Action Some have counted him too sharp and bitter in his reproofs and it must be granted that as he was affable and courteous to the good so was he morose to the bad But then anger never continued longer than the reprehension lasted If he pass'd a thing by without notice there was no fear upon that account for he thought it more excusable even to commit the offence than to hate an offender The fourth summer was spent in setling what he had already overrun and if the valor of his armies and the glory of the Roman Empire could have permitted it they needed not have sought any other boundary in Britain Glota and Bodotria the two arms of opposite seas which shoot into the Country are parted by a narrow strip of land only which was then secured by our garisons so that the Romans were masters of all on this side having pent up the enemy as it were within another Island In the fifth year of this war Agricola first took shipping and sail'd over to certain nations never before known of which after many prosperous encounters he subdued and then put garisons into those parts of Britain which lie towards Ireland more out of hopes than out of fear For Ireland Ireland being situated between Spain and Britain and lying convenient for the French Sea would with many other advantages have united those mighty members of the Empire As for its bigness 't is less than Britain but larger than the Islands of our sea The soil the temperature of the air the nature and manners of the people are not much different from the British The ports and havens are better known by reason of more trade and commerce Agricola had formerly received a Prince of that country driven out by civil wars and under pretence of friendship had kept him for a fair occasion I have often heard him say that with one legion and some few auxiliaries Ireland might be conquer'd and retain'd and that it would be of great import and consequence to our interest in Britain if the Roman forces were on all hands and liberty as it were banish'd out of sight About this time dy'd Titus who for these exploits of Agricola was saluted Emperor fifteen times as Xiphilin tells us and as 't is manifest from an old coin Under Domitian Agricola in the sixth year of his Lieutenancy being apprehensive of a general insurrection * Ampla Civitas al. Amplas civitates in those large cities and remote countries beyond Bodotria and that his march would be made very troublesome by the enemy sent out a fleet that summer to try the creeks and havens of the large country beyond it Thus Agricola was the first that ever seconded his land army by a fleet and what was very great that brought war upon them both by land and sea Oftentimes it happen'd that the troopers the foot soldiers and the seamen would meet and make merry together in the same camp each one magnifying his own feats and adventures and making their vaunts and comparisons souldier-like the one of the woods and high mountains the other of the dangers of the waves and tempests The one valuing himself upon the land and the enemy the other upon the sea it self subdued by him The Britains as we understood by the prisoners were amaz'd and daunted at the sight of this fleet considering that if once their sea was discover'd and navigable all retreat and refuge would be cut off Whereupon the Caledonians with great preparation but as 't is always with things unknown not so great as reported broke out into open war and assaulted our castles that by being aggressors they might discourage us so that some poor spirits on our side under shew of prudence advis'd Agricola to retire on this side Bodotria and rather make a voluntary retreat than a forc'd one In the mean time we had advice that the enemy's design was to divide and attack us in many places at once Whereupon lest he should lie under disadvantage by the number of the enemy and their knowledge of the country he likewise divided his army into three bodies They having intelligence of this forthwith took another course and in one entire body fell all upon our ninth legion as being the weakest and between sleep and fear in the night cut off our centinels and broke in among them Thus the battle began in the very camp when Agricola having found out the enemies march by his scouts traces them and sends in the lightest of his horse and foot upon their backs which were seconded with the huzza's of the whole army and the appearance of their colours towards break of day This danger on all sides terrifi'd the Britains and the Romans taking heart at it and knowing there could be no danger fought now for honour They gave them a fresh onset and after a sharp dispute at the very gates put them to the rout while both our armies were contending the one to come up timely with their assistance the other not to seem to need it If the fens and woods had not protected the enemy in this flight they had been utterly conquered Upon this constancy and the news of our victory the whole army grew so resolute that they thought nothing invincible to them they clamour'd to be led into Caledonia and to fight their way through to the remotest part of Britain Thus they who were but just now requiring wary conduct are forward and blustering when the event is seen And this is always the case in war every one claims a share in that which is successful but misfortunes are always imputed to one single person However the Britains attributing all this to good luck and the conduct of the General and not to any valour in them were not at all dejected but went on to arm their young men to convey their wives and children into safe places and by assemblies and Religious rites to establish a confederacy among them And thus both armies left the field in great heat This summer a Cohort of Usipians rais'd in Germany and sent over into Britain undertook a very strange and memorable adventure Having kill'd their Captain and some Soldiers that were dispers'd among them to shew them how to exercise they fled and embark'd themselves in three vessels compelling the masters to carry them off but only one of them doing his duty the other two were slain upon suspicion and this strange kind of voyage the fact being not yet nois'd was much admir'd Afterward being toss'd up and down and falling upon some Britains that oppos'd them in their own defence often victorious and sometimes baffled they came to that pinch for want of provision at long run
that they eat one another first of all the weakest and after that as the lot fell Thus having floated round Britain Britain â—â—iâ—'d round and lost their ship in conclusion for want of skill in sailing they were taken first by the Suevians and then by the Frisians for pirates Some of them being bought by the merchants and by change of masters brought to our side of the river grew famous upon the account they gave of this adventure In the beginning of the summer a great misfortune befel Agricola in his own family for he lost his son who was about a year old His carriage under this affliction was neither vain-glorious like some great men's in those cases nor on the other hand soft and effeminate Among other consolations to divert him from this sorrow he made war one Having therefore sent his fleet before which by making a descent here and there might render the consternation greater and more uncertain he prepar'd and follow'd himself with the army to which he had added some of the stoutest Britains such as after the test of a long peace he had found faithful and march'd to the hill Grampium where the enemy had posted themselves For the Britains without dismay at the loss of the last battle intent upon nothing now but revenge and slavery by leagues and treaties muster'd up their whole power being at last sensible that a common danger must be fenc'd off by confederacy and union About thirty thousand arm'd men were now reckon'd in the field besides a great number of youth and lusty old men who had been formerly famous soldiers and still retain'd the skars and badges of their bravery Galgacus Galgacuâ— both by birth and merit the chief commander as the multitude was eager to be engaged is said to have made this speech to them When I consider the cause of this war and our present necessity I have great reason to presume that this day with this unanimous resolution of yours will give a happy beginning to the freedom of the whole Island We have liv'd thus long in the full enjoyment of our liberty and now there 's no other Country beyond this nor indeed sea to secure us while the Roman navy can thus hover upon our coasts so that arms and fighting as honour will recommend them to men of valour so will self-preservation to the worst and most cowardly of us at this time The battles heretofore which with various success have been fought against the Romans have always rely'd upon our bravery and expected a turn from it For we are the very slower of the Britains and therefore seated in the most inward parts of the Country without the ken of those Nations enslav'd by the enemy so that our eyes are yet unpolluted and free from the contagion of foreign tyranny There 's no country farther on this side of it nor liberty on that this corner which has been hitherto unknown to fame hath hitherto preserved us Now the remotest part of Britain lyes open to them and people think every thing great and magnificent that 's strange and unknown Beyond us there 's no country nothing but waves and rocks * Interiores Romani al. Infestiores vel inter ea the land inward is all under the Roman Vassalage already T is in vain to curry favour with them by address and submission their pride and haughtiness is not to be thus laid who ransack the universe and when they have plunder'd all lands and want more set sail and rummage the wide ocean to find them Where the enemy is rich there the prize is wealth where poor 't is ambition neither the East nor the West have sufficed them these and these only covet and gape after the wealth and poverty of the whole World with equal appetite and pleasure Spoil murder pillage passes with them under the false names of Government and where they make solitude there they think they have made peace Children and relations by nature are tender and dear to every one yet they press them they bereave us of them to make them slaves in foreign Countries Our wives and sisters if they escape ravishing in a violent and hostile manner yet under the name of guests and friendship they are certainly debauch'd by them Our goods and fortunes become theirs by the name of tribute and our corn by that of provision Our bodies and hands are put by them to the drudgery of paving bogs and woods with a thousand stripes and indignities to boot Those who are naturally born slaves are but once sold and then maintain'd at the owner's cost but this Isle of Britain daily purchases daily feeds and maintains its own bondage at its own charge And as in a private family the last comer is ever the most scouted by his fellow-servants so in this old bondage of the World we who shall be the last and the vilest slaves in the universe are now to be destroyed if they can do it For we have no fields to cultivate neither mines nor havens to be employed in and therefore to what purpose should they let us live Besides the courage and resolution of the conquer'd is never grateful to the conquerour And this distance and privacy it self as it makes us safe so 't will make us the more suspected Thus seeing we have nothing to relie upon let us put on resolution as well those who tender their own safety as they who value honour and glory The Trinobantes Trinobâ—â—tes under the conduct of a Woman extirpated one of their Colonies and forced their Castles nay if success had not slacken'd their diligence they might have entirely ridded themselves of the Roman yoke We are as yet whole and untouch'd we were born free †Unde â—stâ—ndâ—mus 〈◊〉 abundâ— let us shew them in the first onset the bravery of the men they 'll meet with on this side Caledonia Do you imagine the courage of the Romans in war to be every jot as great as their debauchery in peace Their glory is all owing to our dissentions the faults of their enemies has been made use of to raise the reputation of their army As nothing but success could have held that medly army of theirs pickt up out of so many several nations together so they would soon dissolve upon a miscarriage unless we can suppose that the Gauls and Germans nay to our shame be it spoken many of our own Countrymen will lend their lives to establish a foreign power who have yet been much longer enemies than slaves to them and go on with a true zeal and affection for this quarrel No this is nothing but the effect of fear and terrour which are no great motives of endearment these removed their hatred will break out as their fear grows causless We have all the motives that excite to victory on our side The Romans have no Wives to encourage them to stand to it no parents to upbraid them if they run away they
have either no country at all many of them or at least not here to animate them Their number is so small as they stand in fear gazing at the haven the sea the woods and every thing strange about them that they seem pent up here and deliver'd into our hands by Providence Let us not be daunted by the shew they make by the glare and shining of their gold and silver which will neither defend them nor hurt us We shall find those of our side in the very body of the enemy The Britains know very well 't is their own game and interest the Gauls are still mindful of their lost liberty and the Germans will desert them as the Usipians but lately did Besides this there 's nothing can put a stop to us the Castles are emptied the * Serum Coloniae aliàs Colonia Colonies consist but of old men and the Cities are in discontent and faction while they unwillingly obey those who unjustly govern them You see the Roman General and army here before you There 's the tributes mines and all the plagues and punishments that attend slavery 't is to be tried by this days engagement whether we are to endure them from this moment for ever or to be immediately reveng'd of them And therefore since we are now to dispute this with them let us think both upon our ancestors and our posterity This speech was cheerfully received by the army who after their barbarous fashion seconded it with songs acclamations and such like jargon clamour And now the companies began to close and a great glister to appear from the army whilst some of the boldest advanced and the army was drawing up when Agricola though he found his men hearty and was hardly able to withold them yet for their farther encouragement made a speech to them after this manner This is now the eighth year Fellow-soldiers that by the fortune and good providence attending the Roman Empire and by your loyalty and service we have carryed on the Conquest of Britain with success and that by many expeditions and encounters wherein as the circumstances required it we have shewed either valour against the enemy or labour and patience even above nature it self In all these I have had no reason to complain of you for my soldiers neither have you any cause to blame the conduct of your General We have both exceeded I have extended this Conquest more than any other Lieutenant and you have done more than any former army We are not only said and imagin'd to be but we are actually and indeed possest of Britain in the utmost extent thereof Britain is now found and subdued by us In our marches over boggs hills and rivers when we have been spent and weary how often have I heard the valiant among us asking when this enemy would face them when they would give them battle We have now unkennel'd them we have them here before us We have our wishes and an occasion to shew our valour If we win this victory every thing will be plain and easie to us if we lose it every thing will prove cross and froward For as this tedious march those woods and aestuaries we passed through is glorious and honourable to us while we advance against the Enemy so if we run away those things which are of the greatest advantage to us now will then become most fatal and dangerous For we are not so well acquainted with the nature of the country as the enemy nor so well furnished with provision but we have as many hands and as good arms and thereby may have every thing For my part I am satisfied that to run away can never be safe either for a General or his army and that to dye in the bed of honour is better and more desirable than to live scouted and in disgrace Besides a mans safety and honour are inseparable And if it should so happen 't will be no small glory to have dyed in the very outmost part of the earth and in the end of nature If a new nation or an unknown enemy were now to encounter you I would exhort you by the examples of other armies but now I can only prompt you to reflect upon your former actions and put the question to your own eyes These are the very men that last year fell upon one Legion of you in the night and were routed by the mere noise and clamour of us These are the arrantest cowards of the whole Island otherwise they had not been so long alive For as 't is in woods and forests the strongest game is not to be started but by force and ranging whereas the timerous and fearful are scar'd and scoure off presently upon the first noise so the best and stoutest of the Britains we have already met with and dispatcht what remains is nothing but a herd of cowardly runnagades We have now at last an opportunity to engage them but that is not because they give it us but we have overtaken them as they stand in the height of fear and confusion like stocks before us ready to present us with a memorable and an easie victory Let us put an end therefore to this war let us make this the happy day wherein the fatigue and labour of the Commonwealth after fifty years continuance was concluded and let your country see that their army here can neither be charged with prolonging the war nor flipping any opportunity to compleat the conquest Agricola was going on when the soldiers show'd great signs of their resolution and eagerness and upon the first period gave their applause and immediately ran to their weapons So Agricola seeing them sufficiently animated drew them up in this order The auxiliary foot in all 8000 he placed in the middle and wing'd them with 3000 horse on each side behind them he drew up the legions before the camp that the victory might be the more glorious by being won if possible without the loss of a Roman and that in case of necessity they might be ready to assist them The British army was drawn up upon the hill so as to serve both for shew and terror the first battalion on even ground the next still a degree higher as the hill ascended The field between rung with the noise of the horse and chariots ranging up and down there Agricola perceiving the enemy to be too numerous for him and fearing least he should be over-wing'd and so stank'd by them stretches out his front though somewhat too thin insomuch that many advis'd him to bring up the legions Yet he being more enclin'd to good hopes than impressions of fear alighted from his horse without altering and put himself at the head of his foot The fight began at some distance wherein the Britains shew'd great art and courage for with their broad swashing swords and short bucklers they would strike aside or bear off the darts of their enemies and return great vollies of their own against
design he openly declares him an enemy and with all the dispatch he could marches into Gaul against him where Albinus with the choice of his British army had posted himself to receive him Upon engaging the Albinianites fought so stoutly that Severus threw off his purple and was put to the rout with his whole army But the Britains pursuing the enemy in some disorder as if the victory was already theirs Laetus who was one of Severus's Captains and stood expecting the issue with his men fresh and untouch'd now hearing that Severus was cut off and thinking that he himself might set up for Emperor fell upon them and put them to flight Upon this Severus having rallied his men and reassum'd his purple pursued them likewise with great eagerness and so came off with success having among many others slain Albinus himself And now Severus sole Emperor of the whole world first sent Heraclianus Heraclianus Propraetor D. l. 28. Tit. 6. Virius Lupus Propraetor and then Virius Lupus Propraetor and Legate call'd by Ulpian the Lawyer President of Britain to take possession of Britain This Virius Lupus as we shall observe in its proper place repaired many Castles here However he was at long run forc'd to buy a peace of the Maeatae at a great rate having made some of them prisoners because the Caledonii who had promised to check the excursions of the Maeatae had not perform'd that Article And finding himself unable to curb them in their inroads after much calamity suffer'd from 'em he sent for Severus himself in person to his assistance Severus embraced the occasion very joyfully both that he might wean his sons who grew luxurious and debauch'd from the pleasures of the City and add the name of Britannicus to his other titles and though now above sixty years old and withall gouty he resolves upon this expedition together with his sons Bassianus whom he call'd Antoninus and Augustus and Geta Caesar with the legions The Britains sent Embassadors immediately to offer peace whom after he had designedly stay'd a long time till all things were prepar'd and ready for the war he dismiss'd without coming to any conclusion and having left his son Geta whom at his first arrival in Britain he made Augustus in the hither part of the Island which was in subjection to the Romans that he might administer justice and government among them he himself with Antoninus march'd into the remoter parts of the country where without coming to any battle he employ'd himself in cutting down the woods building bridges and draining the fens and yet by ambuscade and sickness lost fifty thousand of his men Thus Dio. But Herodian makes him to have had several skirmishes with success while the Barbarians from the fens and thick woods where they had posted themselves sallied out upon the Romans At last however he forc'd them to a league upon condition that they should part with no small share of their country to him And that which is the most glorious action in his reign he built a wall from sea to sea quite cross the Island Upon the account of these victories he stamp'd his coins with this Inscription VICTORIA BRITANNICA and assum'd the title of Britannicus Maximus His son Geta had also the title of Britannicus as appears by his coins Yet without observing this league the Britains began afterwards to revolt which gall'd him to that degree that in an Oration to his soldiers he recommended the utter extirpation of them in those Verses of Homer Nemo manus fugiat vestras caedemque cruentam Non faetus gravida mater quem gestat in alvo Horrendam effugiat caedem Let none your mercy share Let none escape the fury of the war Children unborn shall die Having in some sort quieted these Rebels he dy'd at York not so much out of any infirmity of body as out of grief and concern at the wickedness of his son Antoninus who with his own hands had made two several attempts upon his life with these words in his mouth I receiv'd the Commonwealth disorder'd in all parts of it and I leave it in peace even among the Britains His corps was after their military way carried out by the souldiers put in the fire and the day solemniz'd with races by the souldiers and his sons Perhaps it would look like a piece of levity in me if I should relate the prodigies that happen'd before his death namely the blackness of the sacrifices the cypress crown offer'd him by a saucy buffoon in these words You have been every thing now be a God The method since it may divert the reader I will here subscribe The Apotheosis or Deification of the Emperor It is a custom among the Romans to consecrate those Emperors who die leaving either sons or successors behind them And they who are thus honour'd are thought to be rank'd among the Divi. Now the city is to be all in mourning Herodian with some allay of festival solemnity For they bury his body as they do those of others in great state The Image of the deceased person they draw as near as they can and lay the same in the entry to the palace upon an ivory bed very large and high with a cloth of gold spread over it And this Image lies pale here to resemble the deceased person The bed is attended the greatest part of the day on both sides of it on the left side all the Senators in mourning habits and on the right the Matrons whether honourable by descent or marriage Of these no one is either to wear gold or jewels but to be dress'd in a thin white garment like mourners This solemnity continues for seven days Physicians coming in daily to visit him and as if the body were a real patient still signifying they have less and less hopes of him At length when they find the party to be quite dead the young men of best quality among the Knights and Senators take up the said bed upon their shoulders and carry it by the via sacra into the old Forum where the magistrates of Rome us'd to lay down their offices Now on both sides the Forum were certain steps like stairs upon these on the one side stood the young sons of the senators and most eminent men in the city on the other the principal Ladies singing hymns and sonnets after a melancholy and mournful manner in praise of the dead person When this is done they take up the bed again and carry it into Mars's Field in the broadest part whereof is erected a square Rostrum eaven on all sides and built of nothing but great timber like a tabernacle The inside of it is stuff'd with combustible matter the outside of it is adorn'd with hangings richly embroider'd with gold and works of ivory and beautified with several pictures Within this stood another much less but of the same make and furniture with wide gates and doors in it Above that likewise a
to defend the Inhabitants against all Invasions This is the reason that in all Carausius's silver Coins we find two Emperors shaking hands with this Inscription round it CONCORDIA â—ugustoâ—m AUGG. Maximian now march'd with his army against the Franks who then inhabited Batavia and had assisted Carausius but were unexpectedly so surpriz'd by him that they forthwith submitted themselves In the mean time Carausius govern'd Britain with great authority and in perfect peace he repair'd the wall between the mouth of the Clud and Carun to keep out the Barbarians as Ninnius Eluodugus's Scholar tells us and fortified the same with seven castles and moreover built a round house of hewen stone upon the bank of the river Carun so called from him with a triumphal Arch in memory of his Victory However Buchanan thinks it to have been Terminus's Temple as we shall observe in Scotland When Dioclesian and Maximian had made Constantius Chlorus and Maximianus Galerius fellow partners of the Empire with them to the end they might better keep what they had got and recover what they had lost Constantius having raised an Army marches towards Bononia in Gaul otherwise called Gessoriacum which Carausius had strongly garison'd and invested the place sooner than was imagined blocking up the haven with huge timber beams struck down in it and by heaps of great stones which notwithstanding the shock and violence of the sea continued firm for many days together But as soon as the Town was surrender'd it was so shaken by the first tide that the whole work was disjointed and fell to pieces Eumenius the Panegyrist And while his Fleet was getting ready for his British expedition he cleared Batavia of the Franks who were then possessed of it and transplanted many of them to cultivate some barren places of the Empire C. Alectus Emp. In this juncture of affairs Carausius was treacherously slain by Allectus his bosom friend and prime Minister who thereupon usurp'd the Government to himself Upon this news Constantius mann'd out several distinct Fleets so that Alectus knowing neither what course to take nor where to expect him grew sensible the Ocean was not so much his fence and refuge as his Prison The Fleet setting out in bad weather and when the sea ran high had the fortune by reason of a mist to escape the British Navy which lay out by the Isle of Wight to observe and attend them and therefore as soon as he had arrived and put his army ashore he set fire to his whole fleet that there might be no hopes of refuge but in victory Allectus as soon as he saw Constantius's fleet upon the coast left the shore where he had posted himself and in his flight was accidentally met and encountred by Asclepiodotus Captain of the Life-guard but his confusion was such that as if he had been under an alienation of mind at that time he run on desperately to his own ruine for he neither drew up his army nor put his cavalry in any order but with his barbarous mercenaries after he had put off his Robes that they might not discover him rush'd upon the enemy and so in a tumultuary skirmish was kill'd without any note of distinction about him For which reason they had much ado to find him among the dead bodies which lay in heaps about the field and on the hills The Franks and other surviving Barbarians upon this determined to plunder London and escape by sea with the booty but a party of ours that were separated from the army in foggy weather coming luckily to London at the same time fell upon them and pursu'd them up and down the streets with a great slaughter not only to the rescue and safety of the Citizens but also to their great pleasure in being eye-witnesses of the rout By this victory the Province was recovered after it had been seven years or thereabouts governed by Carausius and three more by Allectus Upon this account Eumenius writes thus to Constantius O important victory worthy of many triumphs by this Britain is restored by this the Franks are defeated and other nations in that confederacy reduc'd to their due obedience To conclude the sea it self is scour'd to compleat our quiet You great Caesar as for your part may with justice glory in this discovery of another world and by repairing the Roman Navy of adding a greater Element to the Roman Empire A little lower also Britain is so perfectly reduced that all the nations of that Island are under an absolute subjection Persecuâ—ion in Britain Towards the end of Dioclesian's and Maximian's reign when the long and bloody persecution in the Eastern Church broke out in the Western Church also with great violence many Christians suffered martydrom in it The chief among them was Albanus Verolamiensis St. Alban Julius and Aaron a citizen of Exeter of which in their places For the Church surviv'd them with great triumph and happiness being not even by a continued persecution for ten years together stifled or destroyed Constantius Chloâ—us Emp. Dioclesian and Maximian having abdicated the Empire Constantius Chlorus who till that time governed the Commonwealth under the title of Caesar was made Emperor To his share fell Italy Africa Spain Gaul and Britain Italy and Africa he surrender'd to Galerius and contented himself with the rest Being a Soldier in Britain under Aurelian he marry'd Helena the daughter of Coelus or Caelius a petty Prince here and by her had that Constantine the Great in Britain For in this all writers do agree with the great Baronius Baronius Hist Eces a See the learned Lipsius's opinion of this matter in hâ—s Letter to Mr. Camden publisht among his Epistles pag. 64. See also Usher's Antiquitates Britannicarum Ecclesiarum pag. 93. fol. cap. 8. except one or two modern Greeks who are but inconsiderable and vary from one another and a certain eminent person who grounds upon a faulty passage of J. Firmicus Chlorus was compell'd by Maximian to divorce this wife and marry his daughter Theodora This Helena Helena is the same who in old Inscriptions is call'd Venerabilis Piissima Augusta both for her Christian piety her suppressing of Idols at Jerusalem erecting a Church in the spot where Christ suffered and for the good invention of the Cross so mightily celebrated by Ecclesiastical writers Yet the Jews and Gentiles call her in reproach Stabularia because the Manger where Christ was laid was sought out by this pious Princess and a Church built by her in the place where the stable stood Of the â—â—th of Theodosiuâ— Hence St. Ambrose They tell us that this Lady was first an Inn-keeper c. This good Inn-keeper Helena went to Jerusalem and there found out the place of our Lord's passion and the manger where her Lord lay This good Inn-keeper was not ignorant of him who cur'd the traveller that the robbers had wounded This good Inn-keeper did not care how
upon this very point Humfrey Lhuid the best of Antiquaries by the best of Poets is quarrelied by Buchanan For Lhuid having said that the name of Scoti was not to be found in Authors before Constantine the Great Buchanan flies upon him catches him fast and with two petty arguments thinks to dispatch him the one drawn from the Panegyrist and the other from his own conjecture Because the old Panegyrist says that Britain in Caesar's time was infested by the Irish enemies By consequence forsooth the Scots at that time were planted in Britain whereas no one before ever said so much as that those Irish had then any settlement much less that they were Scots The Panegyrist without question after the common way of writers had his eye upon his own times in it and not upon those of Caesar As for the conjecture it is not his own but that of the most learned Joseph Scaliger For in his notes to Propertius while by the by he restores that verse of Seneca's to the true Reading Ille Britannos Et caerulos Colla Cathenis Ultra noti Scuta Brigantes Jussit c. Littora ponti Dare Romuleis He puts it Scotobrigantes and forthwith cries out that the Scots are indebted to him for the discovery of their original for my part I am sorry I cannot second this opinion having ever honour'd him upon many accounts and much admir'd his learning For this conjecture is not the product of Copies but of his own ingenuity and parts and the sense will bear either Reading caeruleâ—s scuta Brigantes as all the Books have it or Caeruleos cute Brigantes as the most learned Hadr. Junius reads it Yet Buchanan chusing rather to play the fool with his own Wit and that of another than to close with the common and true Reading cries up this conjecture to the skies First because Authors do not inform us that the Britains painted their shieâ—ds Secondly that he said Scoto-Brigantes for difference sake that he might distinguish them from the Brigantes of Spain and Ireland Lastly that in this verse he might distinguish between the Britains and the Brigantes as different nations But if one may dispute this point what should hinder them from painting their shields who painted themselves and their chariots To what end should he coin the new word Scoto-Brigantes for distinction sake When he calls them Caeruleos and says they were subdued by Claudius does not this sufficiently distinguish them from the other Brigantes That observation of the Britains and Brigantes as being different nations does not look like a Poet who could never be ignorant of the poetical way of expressing the whole by a part Wherefore seeing these pleas will not carry it I will reinforce Buchanan with a supply from Egesippus who is commonly thought very antient For where he treats of the greatness of the Romans he says * i.e. Ireland lâ—b 5. c. 15. Scotland f See Bishop Usher's Antiquitat Britannicarum Eccles p. 329. fol. which owes nothing to other Countreys dreads them and so does Saxony inaccessible by reason of its bogs But hold this argument will not come up to the point for he liv'd since Constantine as appears by his own Writings nor does this make any more for the Scots living in Britain than that verse of Sidonius but now cited Yet a more weighty reason than all this is that which the most famous and learned J. Cragius has started after a nice enquiry out of Jâ—sephus Ben Gâ—riâ—n concerning the destruction of Jerusalem that the Scots in a Hebrew copy are expresly so named where Munster in his latin translation falsly puts the Britains for the Scots But I have not sufficiently discovered in what age this Ben-Gorion lived 'T is plain he lived since Flavius Josephus seeing he has made mention of the Franks Yet if I may engage against so many great men in this controversy As far as I have observed the first mention of the Scotch nation we meet with in Authors is in the reign of Aurelian For Porphyry who then writ against the Christians takes notice of them in these words as S. Hierom tells us Against the Pâ—â—gian◠〈◊〉 Cresipâ—er Nor has Britain a fruitful province in the hands of Tyrants nor the Scotch nations nor any of those barbarous nations all round to the very Ocean heard of Moses and the Prophets At which time also or a little before Antiquaries observe that the names of those mighty nations the Franks and Almans were first heard of in the reign of Gallienus That of some Authors therefore is not grounded upon sure authority that the Name and Kingdom of the Scots flourish'd in Britain many ages before the birth of Christ Rather take the time of it from Giraldus When Nellus the great reigned in Ireland the six sons of Muredus King of Ulster possess'd the north parts of Britain So from these a nation was propagated and call'd by a peculiar name Scotland which inhabits that corner even to this day But that this happen'd about the time when the Roman Empire began to decay is thus inferr'd In the reign of Lagerius son of this Nellus in Ireland Patrick the Irish Apostle came thither it being then much about the year 430 after Christ's nativity So that this seems to have fallen about the time of Honorius Augustus For whereas before they lived after a rambling manner without any fixed abode as Ammianus says and had long infested Britain and the marches thereof then they seem to have settled in Britain But they would have it The Lib. â— P sâ—â—tensis purs hiâ— returâ— undeâ— the year 424. that they then first return'd from Ireland whither they had withdrawn themselves when they were routed by the Romans and the Britains and they take this passage of Gildas to be meant of that time The Irish robbers return home with design to come back again shortly About this time Reuda mention'd by Bede is thought by some to have settled himself in this Island upon a winding of the River Cluid northward either by force or love Bede l. 1. c. 1. From this Captain says he the Dalreudini are so called to this day for in their tongue dal signifies a part and from this Reuda it is as others think that we call them Râ—dshanks 'T is thought also that this Simon Brech whom the Scots affirm to have been the founder of their nation flourish'd in these times The true name of him was Sinbrech that is to say freckled Sin as we read it in Fordon perhaps the very same Brichus who about the age of S. Patrick with Thuibaius Macleius and Auspacus Scotchmen infested Britain as we find it in the life oâ— S. Carâ—ntocus But since the Scots who live in Britain call the Country which they inhabit Alban and Albin Alban aâ—d Albin and the Irish themselves Allabany it will be no disingenuous inquiry whether this Allabany may not have some remains of the old name
and yet which is almost incredible not one received any harm A strange miracle this was but what is yet a greater the River cures all diseases and infirmities Whoever steps in faint and disordered comes out sound and whole What a joyful sight was this for Angels and men So many thousands of a Proselyte nation coming out of the chanel of the same River as if it had been out of the womb of one Mother One single pool preparing so many inhabitants for the heavenly mansions Hereupon his Holiness Pope Gregory with all the companies of the Saints above broke forth into joy and could not rest till he had writ to Eulogius the holy Patriarch of Alexandria to joyn with him in that his transport for so vast a number being baptized on one Christmas day No sooner was the name of Christ preached in the English nation Religiâ—â— theâ—â—â—â— but with a most fervent zeal they consecrated themselves to it and laid out their utmost endeavours to promote it by discharging all the duties of Christian Piety by erecting Churches and endowing them so that no part of the Christian world could show either more or richer Monasteries Nay even some Kings preferred a religious life before their very Crowns So many holy men did it produce who for their firm profession of the Christian Religion their resolute perseverance in it and their unfeigned piety were Sainted that in this point 't is equal to any country in the whole Christian world And as that prophane Porphyrie stiled Britain a Province fruitful in tyrants so England might justly be called an Island fruitful in Saints Afterwards The â—â—ing oâ— Saxâ—â— they begun to promote humane learning and by the help of Winifrid Willebrod and others conveyed that and the Gospel together into Germany as a German Poet has told us in these Verses Haec tamen Arctois laus est aeterna Britannis Quòd post Pannonicis vastatum incursibus orbem Illa bonas artes Graiae munera linguae Stellarumque vias magni sydera coeli Observans iterum turbatis intulit oris Quin se relligio multum debere Britannis Servata latè circum dispersa fatetur Quis nomen Winfride tuum quis munera nescit Te duce Germanis pietas se vera fidesque Insinuans coepit ritus abolere prophanos Quid non Alcuino facunda Lutetia debes Instaurare bonas ibi qui foeliciter artes Barbariemque procul solus depellere coepit Quid tibi divinumque Bedam doctisssmus olim Tam varias unus bene qui cognoverat artes Debemus Let this to Britain's lasting same be said When barbarous troops the civil world o'respread And persecuted Science into exile fled 'T was happy she did all those arts restore That Greece or Rome had boasted of before Taught the rude world to climb the untrod spheres And trace th' eternal courses of the stars Nor Learning only but Religion too Her rise and growth to British soil doth owe. 'T was thou blest Winifred whose virtue's light From our dull climate chas'd the fogs of night Profanest rites thy pious charms obey'd And trembling superstition own'd thy power and fled Nor smaller tokens of esteem from France Alcuinus claims who durst himself advance Single against whole troops of ignorance 'T was he transported Britain's richest ware Language and arts and kindly taught them here With him his Master Bede shall ever live And all the learning he engross'd survive And Peter Ramus farther adds Briâ—â—â— twiâ— schâ—â—â—stris 〈◊〉 Fraâ—â— that Britain was twice School-mistris to France meaning first by the Druids and then by Alcuinus who was the main instrument made use of by Charles the Great towards erecting an University at Paris And as they furnish'd Germany with Learning and Religion so also with military discipline Nay The 〈◊〉 chiâ—◠〈◊〉 of thâ—â—â—â—ons 〈◊〉 Gerâ—â— what is more those Saxons who live in the Dukedom of Saxony are descended from them if we may depend upon Eginhardus's words The Saxon nation as antiquities tell us leaving those Angles which inhabit Britain out of a desire or rather necessity of settling in some new home march'd over sea towards the German Coasts and came ashore at a place named Haduloha 'T was about that time Theoderick King of the Franks made war upon Hirminfrid Duke of the Thuringi his son in law and barbarously wasted their land with fire and sword After two set battles the victory was still depending though there had been considerable losses on both sides Upon which Theoderick disappointed of his hopes of Conquest sent Ambassadors to the Saxons Their Duke at that time was one Hadugato who as soon as he heard their business and their proposals of living together in case of victory marched with an Army to their assistance By the help of these who fought it out stoutly like men that dispute for Liberty and Property he conquer'd the enemy spoil'd the inhabitants put most of them to the sword and according to promise yeilded the land to the Auxiliaries They divided it by lot and because the war had reduced them to so small a number that they could not people the whole part of it especially all that which lies Eastward they let out to the Boors each of which according to his quantity was to pay a certain Rent The rest they cultivated themselves On the South side of them lived the Franks and a party of the Thuringi who had not been engaged in the late war from whom they were divided by the river Unstrote On the North side the Normans a most resolute nation on the East the Obotriti and on the West the Frisians Against these they were always maintaining their ground either by truces or continual skirmishes But now let us return to our English Saxons The Saxons for a long time lived under their Heptarchy in a flourishing condition till at last all the other Kingdoms shatter'd with civil wars were subdued to that of the West-Saxons For Egbert King of the West-Saxons after he had conquered four of these Kingdoms and had a fair prospect of the other two to unite them in name as he had already done in government and to keep up the memory of his own nation â—ut the 〈◊〉 800. published an Edict wherein 't was ordered that the whole Heptarchy which the Saxons had possessed themselves of â—land should be called Engle-lond i.e. the land of the Angles From hence came the Latin Anglia taking that name from the Angles who of the three nations that came over were most numerous and most valiant The Kingdoms of Northumberland and Mercia two of the largest with that of the East-Angles were theirs whereas the Jutes had no more than Kent and the Isle of Wight and the Saxons East West and South-Saxony very narrow bounds if compared with those large territories of the Angles From these now time out of mind they have been call'd by one general name Angles and in their own language Englatheod
be Bernwaled unknown to me who he was So is also that of the fifteenth only it was an eminent name amongst them as was also Aethelstan on the sixteenth That upon the seventeenth is likely to be of that valiant and noble Viceroy of Mercia married to the King's daughter Ethelfleda a woman of admirable wisdom courage and zeal in sum a daughter worthy of such a father The eighteenth is of Edward Senior that victorious and glorious son and successor of King Aelfred equal to his father in valour and military skill but inferiour to him in learning and knowledge His actions are sufficient for a volume On his head is a close or imperial crown born by few if any other besides the Kings of England The reverse is Leofwine or Lincoln The twenty third Beornwald I rather read it Deorwald i.e. Deirorum sylva York-woulds the chief Town whereof was Beverly And the rather because of the twenty fourth Diora Moneta which seems to be the money of the Deiri or Yorkshire-men The rest of the Coins of this Prince are easily understood The names upon the reverses seem to have been Noblemen or Governors The twenty fifth is remarkable for the spelling Jedword the reverse is Arnerin on Eoferwic i.e. York The twenty sixth hath the reverse Othlric on Ring which might be Ringhornan in Lancashire a large Town one of the eight built by his sister Ethelflede Of the twenty seventh I do not understand the reverse The twenty eighth is of that most famous and worthy King Aethelstan the true progeny of such a father and grandfather In his youth his grandfather King Aelfred saw such a spirit and indoles in him that he foretold if it should please God that he came to the Crown he would perform very great actions for the good of his country and he made him also I think the first that we read to have received that honour in this nation a Knight and gave him ornaments accordingly the more likely because Aelfred also order'd the robes and ceremonies of the Coronation This Prince extended his Victories Northward even into Scotland Which countreys till his time were never peaceably settled because the two nations Saxons and Danes mingled together in their habitations and yet having several Kings and Laws could never be long in quiet Upon the borders of Scotland he fought one of the most terrible battles that ever was in England against Anlaf King of Ireland Constantine King of Scotland and a very mighty and numerous Army Wherein were said to be slain five Kings seven Earls or chief Commanders besides vast numbers of inferior Officers and Soldiers Authors say that King Aethelstan's valiant Chancellor and General Turketill with wonderful courage and strength broke through the enemies ranks till he met with King Constantine and slew him with his own hand Others say that Constantine was not slain but his son Turketill after all his wars and greatness resigning his estates and wealth repaired to the Monastery of Croyland and lived in it himself till his death The reverse is Biorneard moneta Londonensis civitas or Holond ci The former reading is the true The twenty ninth is King Edmund Brother and not inferior either in valour or counsel to Aethelstan He pursued the design of reducing all his subjects to perfect unity and peace by extirpating those rebellious irreconcileable enemies the Danes In the beginning of his Reign he cleared Mercia of them For King Edward seeing the Kingdom so much depopulated by those destructive wars ever since the entrance of the Danes upon promise and oath of fealty and obedience as his father also had done amongst the East-Angles permitted these Danes to live amongst his natural Subjects and chiefly in the great Towns thinking because of their profession of arms and soldiery they would better defend them than the Saxons more industrious and skilful in labour and husbandry The Danes also having been themselves beaten and conquered by him were very ready to engage to obedience peace and loyalty But the Saxons by their labours growing rich and the Danes retaining their former tyrannical and lazy dispositions began to oppress and dominere over the natives Edmund therefore after Mercia began to reduce Northumberland where remained the greatest number of them for Edward himself had suppressed those in East-Anglia and to reduce those Northern counties into the form of Provinces and committed Cumberland as a Feud to Malcolme King of Scotland His zeal for justice cost this heroical Prince his life For celebrating the festival of St. Austin and giving thanks for the Conversion of the nation he spied amongst the Guests one Leof a notable thief whom he had before banished The King's spirit was so moved against him that rising from the Table he seized upon him threw him to the ground and was about to do some violence unto him The Thief fearing what he had deserved with a short dagger which he concealed wounded the King mortally who died in a short time to the very great grief and affliction of his people The reverse is very imperfect but it may perhaps be Edward Moneta Theodford or rather Eadmund Martyr to whose Church he gave the Town called St. Edmund's-bury The thirtieth is Eadred who degenerated not in the least from his father King Edward or his brethren the precedent Kings He compleated the reduction and settlement of the North making Osulf the first Earl of it The Scots voluntarily submitted and swore Allegiance to him An. 955. in the fifth year of his reign and flower of his youth he sickned died and was exceedingly lamented of his subjects The thirty first is Eadwig son of K. Edmund who being come to age received the Kingdom so lovely a person that he was named the fair His actions are variously reported by Historians generally they accuse him of voluptuousness and neglect of his affairs insomuch that a great part of the North applied themselves to his Brother Edgar and set him up against Edwy who as is thought with sorrow sickned and died An. 958. Heriger on the reverse seems to have been Mint-master Tabula VII Nummi saxonici Page cxlvi The thirty third Eadgar son of King Edmund peaceably enjoyed the fruits of the labours and dangers of his predecessors A man admired by all both foreigners and natives for his great piety justice prudence and industry in governing the Kingdom Sine praelio omnia gubernavit prout ipse voluit The reverse is Leofsig Moneta Hamptonensis The thirty fourth is of Eadward son of King Edgar by Ethelfleda the fair called also Eneda Daughter of Duke Ordmear He is much commended for a virtuous well-disposed and hopeful Prince and such the small remainders of his History do truly represent him But by order of his Stepmother Alfritha to whom he was too obedient he was murthered to empty the Throne for her son Aethelred Edward was accounted a Saint and Martyr because of the many miracles said to be done at his Tomb which occasioned the
removal of his body from Wereham to a more honourable place Shaftesbury and the Murdress repenting of that wicked action spent the rest of her days in grief and severe penances Who that Heremod on the reverse was we know not The thirty fifth is of Aethelred son of Edgar by Alfritha the only weak and slothful Prince of all the line of King Egbert endeavouring to govern his Kingdom not by true justice and valour as his predecessors had done but by tricks and as they call it policy First gave an opportunity to the Danes to renew their invasions and then negligently or unfortunately opposing them he brought the Kingdom into great poverty and calamity and afterwards into subjection unto those antient enemies and robbers of the country by his laziness losing all that his forefathers by their industry had acquired as Historians say St. Dunstan foretold of him at his Baptism Egbert began the advancement of the Kingdom by reducing it into one Monarchy his successors valiantly defended and setled and augmented it by subduing the Danes and all other enemies Edgar enjoyed it in full peace prosperity and glory and his son this Aethelred suffered it to run down again into a worse condition than ever it was And indeed it would be strange to imagine so great a change in one man's time did it not appear that there was no cause of ruine left unpractised in his long reign his own negligence cowardise want of intelligence unskilfulness in war the great factions enmities and treasons of the nobility the particulars whereof have filled the tedious relations of our Historians Saxon Coins TAB VII ALL the first ten are of Cnut called the Great the first Danish King of England There are very many of his Coins extant I have only described those wherein is some notable variety Though Swane his father made divers conquests and several countries as well as persons preferring his activeness before Aethelred's sloth not regarding the justice of the cause submitted to him and paid largely for his protection yet was he never King nor assumed he or his son the title till Edmund Ironside consented by the persuasion of a traytor to divide the Kingdom with him The vile but potent Edric thought that more was to be got by shoring up a new active Usurper than adhering to the just cause of his true and Royal Sovereign Nor was Cnut unmindful of him but according to his promise advanced him above all the other Lords of the Kingdom by cutting off his head and exposing it upon a high pole Amongst all these figures of Cnut only one the seventh is with a crown and that an open one contrary to that of the English Kings before him and adorned with lilies which would make me suspect that Coin to be counterfeit were it not that our Historians say that when he was young he wore his Crown at the great assemblies of the Nobility so many times in the year as was the custom both here in France Germany and I think with all European Princes in those times But one time being mightily flattered by his Courtiers he chanced to be upon the sea-banks whither he commanded his chair to be brought where sitting down upon the beach in great Majesty he told the sea that that was his land and the water his water wherefore he commanded the sea to be content with its own chanel and not cover any part of the land Which he had no sooner said but the water dashed upon him whereupon he told his flatterers that they should henceforward forbear all boasting of his power and greatness After this it is reported he would never wear a Crown Others say that he never wore a Crown after his coronation and that then also at his coronation presently after the Crown was set upon his head he took it off and fixed it upon the head of our Saviour crucified The ordinary covering of his head was sometimes a Mitre as fig. 6. other times a cap as fig. 5. sometimes a triangular covering used after him by Andronicus the Eastern Emperor and by St. Edward the Confessor The reverse of the first is Farthein Monet Eoforwic i.e. York Of the second Sunolf Of the third Crinam The fourth is Wulnoth All coined at York The fifth is Leodmer and seems coined at Raculf-minster now Reculver The sixth hath Luffwine at Dover The seventh hath Wulfric on Lunden The eighth is Selwi at Theoford The ninth is Outhgrim at York The tenth is Cnut aged with a Diadem about his head The reverse is Nodwin Moneta The name of the place I cannot read In his younger years he spared no labour nor any art just or unjust oppression or murder to acquire and settle the Kingdom to himself and Posterity Which being as well as he could performed he endeavoured to act more justly and plausibly that he might retain the obedience of the people which he had so unjustly gotten Yet not long before his death he dispossessed Olavus King of Norway of his dominion about An. 1029. The eleventh is of Harold Cnut's second son called for his swiftness Hares-foot Cnut to his eldest son Suane suspected to be none of his own gave the Kingdom of Norway to Harold his second son by foreign writers also called a Bastard the Kingdom of England to Hardacnut his son by Emma he gave Denmark Harold's Reign was short about four years and employed more in endeavouring to settle his title than perform any worthy action The reverse is Godric at Theotford The twelfth is of the same with a Diadem about his Helmet The reverse is Sliwine on Theodford The thirteenth is of Harthacnut He reigned about two years and died suddenly at a great feast in Lambeth Little of note mentioned of him besides that he was very affectionate to his mother's children and that he loved good eating making four meals a day The reverse is Elnwine on Wice perhaps Worcester The fourteenth is of St. Edward the Confessor of whom there are very many Coins still extant I have presented only those of most variety This represents him as a young man sitting with a staff or scepter which amongst the Romans was the Hasta pura and Sceptrum sometimes made of Ivory and many times an Eagle upon the top of it instead of which our Kings used commonly a Cross tho' not always of the same fashion sometimes also a Lily in his left hand a globe with a cross fastened in it This was used only by Christian Emperors and Kings as witnessing them to have that power through the virtue of the Cross or Passion of our Saviour The Pagan Roman Emperors used rather a stern or oar fastened to a globe shewing that they steered the world not expressing whence they received that power Whereas Suidas saith of Justinian that in his left hand he carried a globe with a cross upon it signifying that by faith in the cross of Christ he was advanced to be Lord of the world i.e. that he obtained
but for the most part the faces and in all the reverses are divers in hopes that it may not be ungrateful to them who have the curiosity to collect these rarities to have the more assistances for the understanding of them The first is of the unfortunate King Aethelred the face unlike the ordinary one the reverse CRVX between the 4 branches of the cross Winstan moneta on Winchester The second a spread Eagle Anlaf cyning The reverse Aethelred minetric which seems to be Mint-master Tabula VIII Nummi saxonici Page cxlvii The fourth is Ethelstan Rex Anglorum Reverse Hegenredes moneta on Deorabi Coined at Darby The fifth is another face of King Ethelred Reverse Watlfreth moneta Gippeswic Ipswich the place of coining it The sixth is Eadmund Reverse Bâ—in LYG Who it was I know not The seventh seems to be of Coenuulf King of the West-Saxons Of whom see Tab. 6. c. 2. of the Northumbers I know not where to begin to read the letters on the reverse nor do I understand them The eighth is Eadred Rex The reverse Manna moneta This face resembles not that in Tab. 6. c. 30. The ninth eleventh twelfth and thirty seventh seem to be of the ancient Irish Kings the only ones that I ever saw The letters are very unusual and therefore difficult to be read or understood The ninth I conjecture to be Dida Medino The reverse two hands in the opposite angles of a cross The word seems to be Iniconeic a name as I am informed still extant in Ireland The tenth if it be not Offa I know not who it is The eleventh is of an Irish Prince I conceive by the words Midino on the ninth coin Midini upon this and the twelfth which seems to refer or belong to Midia now called Meath one of the divisions and countreys in Ireland The thirteenth is Eadear Rex Reverse Aethered moneta Lundoniae It was probably one of the Edwards but the effigies being like none of the other I know not of whom it is The fourteenth Dmo unless it be one of the Edmonds I cannot guess at it but the countenance cloaths c. are not like any of the other The reverse also is equally unknown The fifteenth I do not understand The sixteenth is Coenuulf a Mercian but not like any of those already described The reverse Ceolheard I understand not The seventeenth is set down because of the beauty and unusualness of the reverse The eighteenth There were divers Aethelstans one was the son either of Egbert or Aetheluulf and was King of Kent another was the son of Edward Sen. of whom before the third was a Danish King called Gormund who being overcome by Aelfred at the battle of Eddington submitted himself and his army either to embrace the Christian Religion or depart the whole Countrey Himself with 30 of his chiefest Commanders were baptized with a great part of the Army the rest quitted the Realm King Aelfred was his Godfather call'd him Aethelstan and gave him the Kingdom of the East-Angles then very much dispeopled by the cruel wars I take this coin to be of him and the rather because the reverse seems to be Danish language and not understood by me The nineteenth is of Edmond I should attribute it to the valiant Ironside if I could find other of his coins but his reign was short and troublesom The twentieth is of S. Edward the Confessor published here because by the reverse it should seem what I have read also that he either founded or reedified the great Church of St. Edmond at Bury The twenty first is Aethelnoth on Snotenegham Notingham who is meant by it I know not but it is worth nothing since both sides are the same The twenty second seems to be of the great Aethelstan what to Brit means I know not The reverse is Regnald moneta Eoferwic The twenty third I believe was of Ethelstan King of Kent a very valiant Prince and fortunate against the Danes he died young The reverse is Berharhedon no place named The twenty fourth is of King Edgar of whom we have spoken before The reverse is Wermod moneta The twenty fifth Sci Canuti This rare coin was lent us by that ingenious and worthy Gentleman Mr. Ralph Thoresby which he saith was sent him out of Swedeland and found in a vault in Gothland upon St. Canutus's coffin at the time when his church in Ottensea was repaired anno 1582. The reverse in a cross IHC Jesus INRI Jesus Nazarenus Rex Judaeorum A and D are conjectured to be Anglia and Dania that King as Saxo Grammaticus Hist lib. lxii noteth looking upon his pretensions to the Crown of England as just as any of his Predecessors was resolved to attempt the regaining of it The twenty sixth I cannot interpret The twenty seventh is also of Ethelstan probably King of Kent because of his helmet made after an antique fashion but useful covering the nape of the neck and a bar descending as low as his nose he hath also a gorget The reverse Smala I take to be the name of the Mintmaster The twenty eighth is Wiglaf After that Beornuulf was slain by the East-Angles and Ludican by Egbert This Wiglaf obtained but I know not how the Mercian Kingdom But he being also overcome by Egbert resigned and Egbert restored it to him under such a tribute and so he reigned 13 years Little recorded of him Redward was Mintmaster The twenty ninth is Sihtric Rex DHGH What these letters signifie is unknown to me He was a Danish King in Northumberland for his pride and tyranny very much hated of his neighbours To strengthen himself he desired to marry Edith the sister of the great Aethelstan who would not consent till he promised to become Christian as he did and was baptized but died not long after His two sons because they would not turn Christians fled their countrey Gudferth went into Scotland and Anlaf into Ireland where they wrought all the mischief they could against the English till Aethelstan utterly vanquished them both V. Tab. 6. c. 9. The reverse is Colbrand Why may not this be that Colbrand in the Romance of Guy of Warwick mentioned by Knighton and others to have combated and been vanquished by that famous Earl whose valour deserved better than to have been discredited by those fabulous if not ridiculous exaggerations However it appears by this coin that those persons were contemporaries in the time of King Aethelstan and of a Danish King whom the fable miscalls enemy for a long time to Aethelstan The two combatants also seem to have been very eminent for their valour and employments Upon these true considerations according to the custom of the times about the holy war some ill-employed persons raised up the sorry childish fabrick of a silly fable The thirtieth is of Aethelstan to brie I understand not the reverse Pauls moneta Leiec seems to be coined at Leicester The thirty first I read Eadred Rex the reverse Garuurd
moneta The thirty second Eadward Rex the reverse Uulfgar under the front of a church probably Westminster-Abby The thirty third is Berthulf Rex of the Mercians of whom we have mentioned before the reverse is Byrnuuald The thirty fourth is Anlaf Rex to do the meaning unknown the reverse is Radulf under such a plant as is also in a coin of St. Edward's The thirty fifth is a very old face if of any I suppose it must be of St. Edward the reverse is Thorr on Eoferwic The thirty sixth St. Neglin I have already declared that I knew not who he was The thirty seventh seems to be of an Irish Prince to me unlegible The thirty eighth is Edwin Rex This seems to have been the glorious King of the Northumbers who being forced out of his countrey by a cruel and tyrannical Usurper betook himself to Redwald King of the East-Angles who also after many promises and threats agreed to deliver him up to his enemy At which time the worthy Edwin was comforted by a message from God promising him safety his Kingdom c. And laying his right hand upon Edwin's head had him remember that sign which when it came to pass he should receive the Gospel This Edwin faithfully promised and afterwards faithfully performed as may be read in Venerable Bede in his second book of the Eccl. History which in greatest part is concerning this valiant victorious religious Prince His conversion fell out in the year of Christ 627 The reverse is Sefwel on Eoferwic The thirty ninth hath a coronet upon his helmet Aethel Rex may either be Ethelred Ethelwolf or Ethelstan though the face represents none of them The reverse is not legible The fortieth is taken out of Dr. Plot 's history of Oxfordshire it was found in digging the works at Oxon and is in the possession of Sir John Holman 'T is supposed to be the gold given by St. Edward the Confessor at his curing the Scrophulae or the Kings-Evil It is worth noting that it hath upon it the figure of a woman veiled as it seems in the habit of a Nun whether of the Blessed Virgin or some other holy woman I cannot determine But it seems much more proper for that function than that now used of an Angel which was taken from the French It remains that we declare whence we received these coins HA were such as were found in making a burial-place at Harkirk in the Parish of Sephton in Lancashire J S is John Speed in his Chronicle which he copied out of Sir John Cotton's store in his famous library W C are those which were with great care judgment and expence collected by that most worthy and ingenious treasurer of ancient learning Mr. William Charleton whose kindness deserves a greater testimony than this place permits R T is Mr. Ralph Thoresby of Leeds in Yorkshire who by his great industry hath augmented his father's considerable stock of this sort of knowledge C H is Mr. Charles Hills very well known by his eminent skill in all natural and also antique learning D P is Dr. Plot well known every where D T Dr. Trumball W K is Will. Kingsley Esq of Canterbury Divers also of them are in our own possession DANES They are often called by our Writers by a mistake Daci Da-hen WHat the original of the * Danes was they themselves are in a great measure at a loss to know That Danus the giant son of Humblus is long since hiss'd out of the School of Antiquity along with Goropius's derivation from a henne Andreas Velleius a Dane and a learned man fetches it from the Dahi a people of Scythia and a Marc I think is never us'd to signifie a Countrey our Marches 't is true contain a certâ—in plot or quantity of ground but th n the original of the name was there being frontiers or bounds Marc which does not signifie bounds but a countrey Our countryman Ethelwerd was of opinion that the name came from the city Donia For my part I always thought that they were the posterity of the Danciones plac'd by Ptolemy in Scandia who by the change of a letter are in some copies call'd Dauciones and that from thence they flock'd into Cimbrica Chersonesus which the Angles had left until the learned and most judicious antiquary Jonas Jacobus Venusinus made a very curious discovery of some plain reliques of the Danish name in the Sinus Codanus and Codanonia which Pomponius Mela mentions in those parts These names the northern people pronounc'd grosly Cdan and Cdanonum but Mela to reduce them to the genius of the Latine In the Margin Th sibus de fabula quae pro historia se venditâ—t made them Codanum and Codanoniam as after-ages mollified Gdanum into Dansk Clodovaeus into Lodouic Knutus into Canutus No mention is made of them before the time of Justinian the Emperor about the year of our Lord 570. For about that time they had made inroads into France and the Latin-writers of the history of England call them Wiccingi from their trade of piracies Wiccinga Wiccinga as we are assur'd by Alfric signifying in Saxon a pirate The likewise term them Pagani the Pagans because at that time they were not converted to the Christian Religion But the English themselves in their own language call them Deniscan and very commonly Heathon mon. Give me leave to set down here what Dudo of St. Quintin an author of considerable antiquity has said concerning these Danes as I had it out of the library of that indefatigable antiquary John Stowe a Londoner to which I had always free access The Danes like bees of a hive for confusion and after a barbaous manner with their swords drawn swarm'd out of Scanza i.e. Scandia after that their leacherous heat had improv'd them to such an infinite number For when they were grown up their way was to quarrel with their fathers or grandfathers and sometimes amongst themselves about estates the land they then had not being large enough for them Upon which according to an ancient custom a number of their young men were muster'd up by lot and driven into foreign parts to cut out their fortunes with the sword When they were ready to be dispatched away Religiâ—â— of the Danes their custom was to sacrifice to * From hence 〈◊〉 our Tâ—â— day Thur the God whom they anciently worship'd not with sheep or oxen but the blood of men This they look'd upon as the most precious of all sacrifices and after the Priest had determin'd by lot who should dye they were barbarously knock'd on the head with yokes of oxen and kill'd at one stroak Each of them who were to die by lot having their brains dash'd out at a single blow were afterwards stretch'd upon the ground and search was made for the fibre on the left side that is the vein of the heart Of this they us'd to take the blood and throw it upon the heads of such
is Yanesbury â—esbury which 't is something strange our Author should affirm to be a Roman Camp which were for the most part square and had only a single vallum when he tells us at the same time this has a doubleditch a way of encamping not observ'd by any Author to have been us'd by that nation It 's being so very like Bratton-castle only something bigger and of an oval form would induce one to believe it Danish The length of it is 360 paces and it has three entrances one toward the north another toward the south and a third which is the principal and fortify'd with out-works after the Danish fashion toward the east â—on s From hence the Willey runs to Wilton prov'd to have been formerly call'd Ellandune from the Records quoted by our Author from the â—m 2. â— 8â—1 Monast. Anglicanum and from Brian Twine's MS. Collections where we find Ellendinia or Ellenduna that is Ellenge donne or a place naked desolate or wild from hence is Wyldton or Wylddoun and he tells us immediately after that he takes Ellendune to be Salisbury-plain But in what language is it that Ellan or Ellendge signifie wild or in what age was Wilton call'd Wyldton or Wyld-down Notwithstanding these authorities the circumstances of King Egbert's battel with Beornwulf make the opinion suspicious for 't is not probable that Egbert the most powerful Prince in the Island should let an enemy make an inroad into the very heart of his kingdom without any opposition And 't is as unaccountable why none of our Historians should tell us the battel was fought at Wilton when it is plain the town was known by this name long before that time To place Ellendune here is perhaps as unreasonable as Bromton's settling it in Middlesex But if the authority of the †Monast Angl. tom 1. p. 31. Winchester Annals may be allowed in this case the controversie is clearly enough decided For they tell us expresly this fight was at Ellendun 〈◊〉 â—â—â—â—d â—hâ— a mannour belonging to the Prior of Winchester now this can be no other place than Elingdon near Highworth upon the borders of the Mercian kingdom which once belong'd to the Monastery of S. Swithin t We come next to Salisbury Salisbury the old Sorbiodunum Sorbiodunum which our Author upon the information of a Welshman affirms to signifie a dry hill in that language Yet those who are Masters of that Tongue cannot discover any thing in it that both answers the sound of Sorbiodunum and can possibly be wrested to that sense The Saxons indeed seem to have drawn their Searesbyrig from this quality of the soil searan in that language signifying to dry but without having any eye to the old Sorbiodunum which I take to be a more probable original than either Hollingshed's derivation of it from Salisbury in Germany or John Ross's from a tower built here by Julius Caesar which he says might be call'd Caesaris burgus and so corrupted into Sarisburge as Caesar Augusta in Spain into Sarogosa But setting aside that Julius Caesar did not pursue his victories thus far that denomination is not warranted by any Author and to be sure Antoninus would have us'd the true genuine Roman name if there had been any such u How it came by the name Severia Severia I cannot certainly tell but 't is possible enough that Severus the Emperor living most of his time in Britaine might sometimes reside here and either by re-edifying the town or doing some other memorable thing at it might derive upon it that name which occasion'd the calling of this County Severnia and Provincia Severorum However that it was much frequented in the times of the later Emperors appears by the Coins of Constans Magnentius Constantine and Crispus found there w In the Saxon times It 's Condition in the Saxon times between Cynric's taking it and K. Egbert's age we meet with no mention of it but this Prince very often resided here and K. Edgar call'd here a Parliament or Great Council A. 960. After the Conquest it flourish'd mightily the Norman Kings very commonly living and sometimes holding their Parliaments here x The insolence of the Garrison Cause of the removal hinted to by our Author was no doubt one great cause of their removing For the Castle which formerly belong'd to the Bishop was upon the difference between King Stephen and Bishop Roger seis'd by the King who plac'd a Governour and a garrison in it But that being look'd upon as a violation of the Liberties of the Church gave occasion for frequent differences by which the Bishop and Canons were induc'd to the thoughts of removing into a place where they might be less disturb'd This was projected by Herebertus Pauper the brother and immediate predecessor of Richard Poor in the reign of Richard 1. But that King dying before the design could be effected and the turbulent reign of K. John ensuing they were forc'd to lay aside the thoughts of it till Henry 3.'s reign wherein it was reviv'd and completed by Richard Poor Not but Mr. Camden is in the right when he tells us that the citizens for the causes by him mention'd began by degrees to remove from Old Sarum in the reign of Richard 1. And this serves to correct those who think that the Bishop and Clergy remov'd first and that the Citizens follow'd or at least that they remov'd about the same time y The foundation of the New-Cathedral New Cathedral was begun the 4th of the Calends of May A. D. 1220. for the more effectual carrying on whereof we find that Bishop Poor in his Constitutions recommended to all Priests in his Diocese the putting dying persons in mind of a charitable contribution to this intended fabrick But a distinct account of those matters may in due time be expected from Mr. Tanner's larger History of this Church and County whose great abilities and the model he has already drawn of it encourage us to hope for a more complete and accurate Work than any thing of that kind the world has yet seen the Undertaker not contenting himself with a bare account of Families but so contriving the whole as to include both British Roman Saxon and Danish Antiquities with something of Natural History Number of Prebends z Only I cannot omit taking notice of an error observ'd in our Author by the present worthy and learned Dean of this place It has says Mr. Camden 33 Prebendaries and when he wrote this 't is very possible there might be but 33 Prebends actually full tho' the succession about that time is deliver'd so imperfectly that there is only room for conjecture But whatever might cause the mistake 't is certain when Mr. Camden wrote that there were 41 single Prebends in this Church besides four annex'd to the Dignities of the Bishop Dean Chancellour and Treasurer When the Church of New-Sarum was built it had 50. besides those annex'd as
to believe it For Dio tells us that Plautius and Vespasian when they were sent by the Emperor Claudius against the Britains divided their forces into three several parties for the greater convenience of landing for fear they should have been more easily repulsed if they had attempted a Descent all at one place And from Suetonius we learn that Vespasian in this expedition engaged the enemy 30 times and brought under the Roman yoke the Isle of Wight which lies opposite to this County and two other valiant People for which victories by land and his happy voyages at sea Valerius Flaccus thus complements Vespasian and makes him more prosperous than Julius Caesar O tu Pelagi cui major aperti Fama Caledonius postquam tua Carbasa vexit Oceanus Phrygios prius indignatus Iulos O you whose glorious reign Can boast new triumphs o're the conquer'd main Since your bold navy pass'd the British sea That scorn'd the Caesars and the Roman sway And Apollonius Collatius Novariensis writeth thus Ille quidem nuper felici Marte Britannos Fuderat The Britains he of late o'recame In prosp'rous war How in this war Titus rescu'd his father Vespasian from an imminent danger when closely besieg'd by the Britains and how a snake twisted round the General at that time without doing him any harm which he interpreted as an omen of being afterward Emperor learn from Dio and Forcatulus But falling to my design I shall begin with the west-side of this County and having first survey'd the sea-coasts and the rivers that there fall into the Ocean I shall then pass to the more inland parts Near the western bounds of this County runs the gentle stream of the Avon River Avena or Avona which as soon as it enters into Hamshire meets with the ford of Cerdick call'd formerly Cerdicks-ford Cerdicks-ford b Cerdicesford in the Saxon Annals afterwards Cerdeford and now by contraction Chardford from Cerdick a valiant Saxon. For in this place the famous Cerdick engaging the Britains gave them so signal a defeat that he not only enlarged the limits of his own government but left it easie for posterity to maintain his conquests When before this in the year of our Lord 508. in a very sharp engagement Natanleod or Nazaleod he had conquer'd Natanleod a potent King of the Britains with great numbers of that People who is by others call'd Nazaleod and from his name a small tract of land reaching up to this place was call'd Natanleod as we read in the Saxon Annals in the search after which place I have been very curious but cannot yet find the least footsteps of that name b Nor indeed can I imagine who that Natanleod was Whether Natanleod and Aurelius Ambrosius was the same person Yet 't is most certain that at the same time Aurelius Ambrosius in these parts had many conflicts with the Saxon forces and with various success and yet this great man is never mention'd in those Annals of our Saxon Ancestors who as I observe have been forward enough in reciting those battles wherein they had themselves the advantage but mention none of those wherein they were losers betraying too great a partiality to their own cause Hence the river runs along by Regnewood or Ringwood Ringwood in Domesday book call'd Rincewed which was that Regnum Regnum a town of the Regni mention'd by Antoninus as we may believe both from the course of the Itinerary the remainder of the old name and the sense of the present For Ringwood by the Saxon addition seems to signifie The wood of the Regni That this was formerly a place of great eminence seems probable from the adjacent Hundred which derives it's name from thence but 't is now only famous for a good market The Avon running from hence takes in the river Stour which comes out of Dorsetshire and at the conflux of these two there stands a small populous market town now called Christchurch Christ-church from the Church so dedicated but heretofore from it's situation between two rivers Twinham Twinamburne upon the same account as the Interamna in Italy It was formerly strengthen'd with a Castle and adorned with an ancient Church of Prebendaries which being first built in the Saxon age was in the reign of William Rufus restored by Ralph Flammard Bishop of Durham who had been Dean of that Church and richly endow'd by Richard de Rivers Earl of Devonshire to whom King Henry 1. gave this place in fee and so continued in great repute to the time of Henry 8. and that fatal Fall of Monasteries Below this town the Stour and the Avon joyning in one chanel empty themselves into the sea at one mouth which Ptolemy call'd the mouth of the river Alaun The river Alaun and very rightly For I can scarce believe that Avon was the proper name of this river since that word is an appellative and the Britains call'd rivers in general by that name but I rather think it was of old called Alaun because there still remain some marks of that word in the villages upon it such as Allinton Allingham c. c On the east-side of this river William the Conquerour destroy'd all the towns villages and churches and turning out the poor inhabitants made a forest for wild beasts of more than thirty miles in circuit which the English in that age call'd Ytene we at this day New Forest New-Forest of which Walter Mapes who liv'd in the next age writes thus The Conqueror took away much land from God and men and converted it to the use of wild beasts and the sport of his dogs by which he demolish'd 36 Mother-Churches and drove away the poor inhabitants d This he did either to make a more easie access for his Normans into England for it lies opposite to Normandy in case there should be a new insurrection in this Island after his suppos'd Conquest of it or to indulge himself in hunting or to raise money by methods tho' never so unjust For he more merciful to beasts than to mankind appointed a most grievous pecuniary mulct and other more severe penalties to be inflicted on those who should trespass on his game But divine vengeance was not long wanting to this impious project of the King 's Example of Divine Vengeance for Richard his second son and William Rufus King of England another of his sons both lost their lives in this Forest the latter being casually c The place where William Rufus was kill'd is call'd says Leland Itinerar vol. 6. p. 100. Thorougham where there yet standeth a Chappel shot with an arrow by Walter Tirrel and the other poisoned by a pestilential blast And Henry his grandchild by Robert his eldest son while he was here eagerly pursuing his sport was caught by the head in the boughs and there ended his life to teach us that the crimes of parents are often punish'd upon their childrens children Of
ridge to the north and separate this County of Oxon from that of Bucks at the foot whereof are seated many little towns of which the most remarkable are Watlington a small Market-town belonging formerly to Robert D'oily tt Shirburne Shirburne where was heretofore a small Castle of the Quatremans now a seat of the Chamberlains descended from the Earls of Tankervil who bearing the office of Chamberlain to the Dukes of Normandy their posterity laying aside the old name of Tankervil call'd themselves Chamberlains from the said office which their Ancestors enjoy'd 24 To omit Edgar Algar and other English-Saxons Official Earls of Oxford The title of Earl of Oxford Earls of Oxford has long flourisht in the family of Vere who derive their pedigree from the Earls of Guisnes and their name from the town of Vere in Zealand They owe the beginning of their greatness in England to K. Henry the first who advanced Alberic de Vere for his great prudence and integrity to several places of honour and profit as to be Chamberlain of England and Portreve of the City of London and to his son Henry Duke of Normandy son of the daughter of King Henry and right heir to England and Normandy this was the title he used before his establishment in this kingdom to divert him from King Stephen who had usurpt the Crown and to oblige him to his own party he granted and restor'd the office of Chamberlain which he had lost in those civil wars and offer'd him the choice of these four Earldoms Dorset Wilts Berks and Oxon. And after this Maud the Empress and her son Henry then in possession of the Throne by their several Charters created him Earl of Oxford Of his posterity not to mention every particular person the most eminent were these that follow Robert de Vere who being highly in favour with King Richard the second was by him advanct to the new and unheard of honours of Marquess of Dublin and Duke of Ireland of which he left as one well observes nothing but some gaudy titles to be inscribed upon his tomb and matter of discourse and censure to the world For soon after through the envy of the other Courtiers he was degraded and miserably ended his life in banishment 25 John the first of that name so trusty and true to the House of Lancaster that both he and his son and heir Aubrey lost their heads therefore together in the first year of King Edward 4. John de Vere a man of great ability and experience in the arts of war and as eminent for his constant fidelity to the Lancastrian party fought often in the field against K. Edward the fourth for some time defended St. Michael's mount and was the chief assistant to King Henry the seventh in obtaining the Crown Another John in the reign of Henry the eighth in all parts of his life so temperate devout and honest that he was distinguisht by the name of John the Good He was great Grandfather to the present Earl Henry the eighteenth Earl of this family and Grandfather to the two noble Brothers Francis and Horatio Vere who by their admirable courage and military conduct and their many brave and fortunate exploits in the Low-Countries have added no small lustre to their ancient and honourable family This County contains 280 Parish Churches ADDITIONS to OXFORDSHIRE a THE County of Oxford call'd by the more early Saxons Oxna-ford-scyre and afterwards Oxen-ford-scyre does by its situation particularly the north-east parts of it Otmore and the adjacent places exactly answer the original of * See Camd. at the beginning Glocestershire Dobuni as lying low and level Though most parts of it bear corn very well yet its greatest glory is the abundance of meadows and pastures to which the rivers add both pleasure and convenience For beside the five more considerable ones the Thames Isis Cherwell Evenlode and Windrush †Plot. p. 18. it has at least threescore and ten of an inferiour rank without including the smaller brooks What our Author says of the hills being clad with woods is so much alter'd by the late Civil wars that few places except the Chiltern-country can answer that character at present for fuel is in those parts so scarce that 't is commonly sold by weight not only at Oxford but other towns in the northern parts of the shire b To follow our Author Burford Buâ—ford in Saxon Beorgford not Beorford as it is famous for the battel mention'd by our Author fought probably on the plaâ—e call'd Battle-edge west of the town so also for a Council conven'd there by the Kings Etheldred and Berthwald An. 685. at which among many others Aldhelm Abbot of Malmsbury afterwards Bishop of Shirburne being present was commanded by the Synod to write a Book against the error of the Brittish Churches in the observation of Easter Which I the rather take notice of here because Sir Henry Spelman calls it only Synodus Merciana An. 705. without fixing any certain place or the exact time whereas both are evident from ‖ De Pontif. lib. 5. Malmsbury and the Leiger-book of that Abby There has been a Custom in the town * Plot. p. 349. of making a Dragon yearly and carrying it up and down the streets in a great jollity on Midsummer-eve which is the more remarkable because it seems to bear some relation to what our Author says of Cuthred's taking from the enemy a banner wherein was painted a golden Dragon only to the Towns-men's Dragon there is a Giant added for what reason not known c Next is Ensham Ensham in Saxon Egonesham the eminence whereof in those times is confirm'd by the early mention of it and by Aethelred's Charter mention'd by our Author which terms it Locus celebris Here it was that in the year 1009. the same King Aethelred by the advice of Alphege Arch-bishop of Canterbury and Wulstan Arch-bishop of York held a General Council wherein many Decrees were establisht relating to the government of Church and State it is call'd by †Concil â— â— p. 510. Sir Henry Spelman Aenham c Our next guide is the river Evenlode not far from which near Chastleton is a Fortification which the learned Dr. Plot imagines might be cast up about the year 1016. when Edmund Ironside met Canute the Dane Châ—stâ—eton but if that conjecture be built purely upon its being near the Four-shire-stone which generally goes for the old dceorstan where the battle was fought the place of the battle being ‖ See Aâ—â—â— to Wâ—tshire undeâ— Shâ—râ—â—â— as it probably ought remov'd from this place that opinion is destroy'd d More to the North is the Monument of Roll-rich R ll-rich-stones * Plot. p. â—â— a single Circle of stones without Epistyles or Architraves and of no very regular figure †〈◊〉 Except one or two the rest of them are not above four foot and a half high What the
260 foot the height of the wooden part belonging to the same Belfrey 274 foot c. k Diana's Temple Some have fancy'd that a Temple of Diana formerly stood here and there are circumstances that back their conjecture as the old adjacent buildings being call'd in their Records Dianae Camera i.e. the Chamber of Diana the digging up in the Church-yard in Edward the first 's reign as we find by our Annals a great number of Ox-heads which the common people at that time not without great admiration lookt upon to be Gentile-sacrifices and the Learned know that the Tauropolia were celebrated in honour of Diana And when I was a boy I have seen a stagg's-head fixt upon a spear agreeable enough to the Sacrifices of Diana and carry'd about within the very Church with great solemnity and sounding of Horns And I have heard that the Stagg which the family of Baud in Essex were bound to pay for certain lands us'd to be receiv'd at the steps of the Quire by the Priests of this Church in their Sacerdotal robes and with garlands of flowers about their heads Whether this was a custom before those Bauds were bound to the payment of that Stagg I know not but certain it is this ceremony savours more of the worship of Diana and the Gentile-errours than of the Christian Religion And 't is beyond all doubt that some of these strange Rites crept into the Christian Religion which the primitive Christians either clos'd with out of that natural inclination mankind has to Superstition or bore with them a little in the beginning with a design to draw over the Gentiles by little and little to the true worship of God l However ever since this Church was built it has been the See of the Bishops of London and under the Saxons fifty years after the expulsion of Theonus the first Bishop it had was Melitus a Roman consecrated by Augustine Archbishop of Canterbury It was in honour to this Augustine that the Archiepiscopal * Insignia Dignity and the Metropolitical See were translated from London to Canterbury against the express order of Pope Gregory There are bury'd in this Church to say nothing of S. Erkenwald Persons buried in Paul's and the Bishops Sebba King of the East-Saxons who quitted his Crown for the sake of Christ and Religion Ethelred or Egelred who was rather an oppressor than governour of this kingdom the beginning of his reign barbarous the middle miserable and the end shameful he made himself inhuman by conniving at Parricide infamous by his cowardize and effeminacy and by his death miserable Henry Lacy Earl of Lincoln John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster Simon de Burley a famous Knight 17 A right noble Knight of the Garter executed by encroached authority without the King's consent J. de 18 Sir John de Bellocampo or Beauchamp Beauchamp Warden of the Cinque-Ports J. Lord Latimer Sir John Mason William Herbert Earl of Pembroke Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper a person of great conduct and profound judgment Sir Philip Sidney and Sir Francis Walsingham most famous Knights c. and 19 Sir Christopher Hatton Christopher Hatton Lord High Chancellour of England to whose sacred and lasting memory his †Nepos nephew 20 Sir William Hatton William Hatton of the ancient family of the Newports but by him adopted into the name and family of the Hattons dutifully erected a magnificent monument becoming the dignity and high character of so great a Man m Besides this there is nothing of the Saxon work that I know of remains in London for 't was not long they had enjoy'd a settl'd peace when the West-Saxons subdu'd the East-Saxons and London fell into the hands of the Mercians And these civil wars were scarcely ended but presently a new northern storm breaks out namely that Danish one which miserably harrass these parts and gave a great blow to this city For the Danes got possession of it but Aelfred retook it and after he had repair'd it committed it to the government of his son-in-Law Aethelred Earl of the Mercians Notwithstanding after this those Plunderers did often besiege it especially Canutus who dugg a new chanel with a design to divert the Thames but they always lost their labour the citizens stoutly defending it against the assaults of the enemy But for all this they were under continual apprehensions till they joyfully receiv'd William the Norman and saluted him King whom Providence had design'd 21 The good of England against those spoilers for the Crown of England From that time the winds ceas'd the clouds scatter'd and the true golden age shone forth Since then it has not endur'd any signal calamity but by the bounty of our Princes obtain'd several immunities began to be call'd the ‖ Camerâ— Chamber of the Kings and has grown so in Trade ever since that William of Malmsbury who liv'd near that time calls it a City noble wealthy in every part adorn'd by the riches of the citizens and frequented by merchants from all parts of the world And Fitz-Stephens who liv'd in that age has told us that then London had 122 Parish-Churches and 13 belonging to * Conventuales Convents and that upon a muster made of all that were able to bear Arms it sent into the field forty thousand foot and twenty thousand horse Then it began to encrease on every side with new buildings and the suburbs round to stretch it self a long way from the city-gates n especially to the west where it is most populous Nurseries for Common Law or Inns of Court and has 12 Inns of Court for the study of our Common-Law Four of them very large and splendid belong †Ad â—â—â—ns sive â—â—am to the Judicial-Courts the rest to Chancery 22 Bâ—sides two Inns moreover for the Serjeants at Law In these there are such numbers of young Gentlemen attend the study of the Law that in this point they are no way inferiour to Angiers Caen or Orleans as 23 Sir John Fortescue J. Fortescue in his little Treatise of the Laws of England has told us Those four principal ones I mention'd Formerly call'd The New-Temple The Old-Temple where now Southamton house is in Holborn-Templâ—rs are the Inner-Temple the Middle-Temple Grays-Inn and Lincolns-Inn The two first are in the place where formerly in the reign of Henry 2. Heraclius Patriarch of Jerusalem consecrated a Church for the Knights Templars which was built after the model of the Temple near our Saviour's Sepulchre at Jerusalem For 24 At their first institution about A. D. 1113. there they liv'd in that part of the Temple next the Sepulchre and from it had their name being under a vow to protect the Christian Religion 25 The Holy Land and such as came in pilgrimage to the Sepulchre of our Lord against the Mahometans 26 Professing to live in Chastity and Obedience By which
the French King put in a golden little Urn upon a Pyramid 53 Sir Charles Blunt Earl c. instead of Charles Earl of Devon c. Charles Earl of Devonshire Lord Deputy of Ireland and Geoffrey Chaucer who being Prince of the English Poets ought not to be pass'd by as neither Edmund Spencer who of all the English Poets came nearest him in a happy genius and a rich vein of Poetry There are also several others both Clergy and Gentlemen of quality r Hard by there was another College 54 Of a Dean and c. of 12 Canons dedicated to S. Stephen which King Edw. 3. rais'd to such a royal magnificence and endow'd with such large possessions after he had carry'd his victories thro' France that he seems rather to have been Founder than only the Repairer devoutly considering as the Foundation-Charter has it the great benefits of Christ whereby out of his rich mercy we have been prevented upon all occasions delivering us altho' unworthy of it from divers perils and by the right hand of his power mightily defending us and giving us the victory in all the assaults of our enemies as also comforting us with unexpected remedies in the other tribulations and difficulties we have labour'd under Near this was a Palace the ancient habitation of the Kings of England from the time of S. Edward the Confessor which in the reign of K. Hen. 8. was burnt down by a casual fire This Palace was really large and magnificent Fitz-Steph a building not to be equall'd in that age having a * Anteâ—â—rale vawmure and bulwarks For the remains of this are the Chamber wherein the King the Nobility and great Ministers of State meet in Parliament and that next to it wherein our Forefathers us'd to begin their Parliaments call'd the painted Chamber of S. Edward 55 Because the Tradition holds that the said King Edward therein died How bloody black hainous and horrible how odious to God and man that act was whereby certain brutes in the shape of men under that Arch-traitor Fr. Catesby by undermining Fr. Catesby's Plot and placing a vast quantity of gun-powder under those buildings lately contriv'd the destruction of their Prince Country and all the Estates of the Kingdom out of a specious pretence of Religion my very heart quakes to consider and I cannot reflect without the greatest horrour and astonishment into what an inevitable darkness and lamentable ruin they would have thrown this most flourishing Kingdom in a moment But what an old Poet said in a matter of less concern we may mournfully apply to our case Excidat illa dies aevo ne postera credant Secula nos certè taceamus obruta multa Nocte tegi propriae patiamur crimina gentis May that black day ' scape the record of fate And after-ages never know 't has been Or us at least let us the time forget And hide in endless night our guilty nation's sin Near these is the White-hall wherein is at this day the Court of Requests Below which is that Hall larger than any of the rest Westminster-Hall the Praetorium and Hall of Justice for all England s In this there are held Courts of Justice namely King's-Bench Common-Pleas Chancery and in places round it The Star-Chamber the Exchequer Court of Wards Court of the Dutchy of Lancaster c. In these are heard Causes at the set seasons or Terms of the year whereas before the reign of Hen. 3. the General Court of Justice was moveable and always follow'd the King's Court. Guil Lâ—â—bard But he in his Magna Charta made a law in these words The Common-Pleas shall not follow our Court but be held in some one certain place Tho' there are some who understand only by this that the Common-Pleas should from that time forward be held in a distinct Court and not in the Kings-bench as formerly The * Praetorium Hall which we now have was built by K. Rich. 2. as we learn from his Arms in the stone-work and the †Lacunaribus beams which having pull'd down that more ancient Hall built in the place by William Rufus he made his own habitation For then the Kings us'd to hear causes themselves as being the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Judges Prov. c. 1â— whose mouth as the Royal Pen-man has it shall not err in judgment But this Palace being burn'd down in the year 1512. lay desolate and a little after Henry 8. remov'd the Royal Seat to a neighbouring house that not long since was Cardinal Wolsey's which they now call White-hall This is a truly Royal Palace enclos'd on one side with a Park reaching to another house of the King 's 56 Robert Catesby built by K. Henry 8. and call'd S. James's 57 Where anciently was a Spittle for Maiden Lepeus on the other with the Thames A certain Poet from it's Whiteness has term'd it Leucaeum Regale subintrant Leucaeum Reges dederant memorabile quondam Atria quae niveo candebant marmore nomen Quod Tamisis prima est cui gloria pascere cygnos Ledaeos rauco pronus subterluit aestu To the Leuceum now the Princes came Which to it's own white marble owes it's name Here Thames whose silver swans are all his pride Runs roaring by with an impetuous tide Hard by near the Mues The Mâ—â—s so call'd because 't was formerly a place for keeping of Hawks but is now a beautiful stable for the King's horses there stands a monument which King Edw. 1. erected in memory of Queen Eleanor Châ—ring-cross the dearest husband to the most loving wife The tenderness oâ— wife whose tender affection will stand upon record to all posterity She was daughter to Ferdinand 3. King of Castile and marry'd to Edward 1. King of England with whom she went into the Holy Land When her husband was treacherously wounded by a Moor with a poyson'd sword and rather grew worse than receiv'd any ease by what the Physicians apply'd to it Rodâ—ricus Tâ—â—â—tanus lâ—b 1. she found out a remedy as new and unheard of as full of love and endearment For by reason of the malignity of the poyson her husband's wounds could not possibly be clos'd but she lick'd them dayly with her own tongue and suck'd out the venomous humour thinking it a most delicious liquor By the power whereof or rather by the virtue of a wife's tenderness she so drew out the poysonous matter that he was entirely cur'd of his wound and she escap'd without catching any harm What then can be more rare than this woman's expression of love or what can be more admirable The tongue of a wife anointed if I may so say with duty and love to her husband draws from her beloved those poysons which could not be drawn by the most approv'd Physician and what many and most exquisite medicines could not do is effected purely by the love of a wife And thus
some would have so named from a Roman Milliarium here placed yet I rather inclined to agree with our Author in his conjecture For Stanes doth not lye upon the Roman way betwixt London and Pontes or any other of that kind upon which the Milliaria or mile-stones were only set An Army of Danes in the year 1009. after they had burnt Oxford returning on the Thames side and hearing that an Army from London was coming against them past the River at this Town as the Saxon Chronicle tells us â—â—â—dem Aâ—no and so went into Kent to repair their Ships c Below Lalam where Caesar crossed the Thames within view of the River stands Harrow Hâ—rrow on the hill being the highest ground in this whole County and therefore made choice of by William Bolton the last Prior of great St. Bartholomew's in Smithfield to build him a house on to preserve him from a Deluge which was prognosticated from certain Eclipses in watery signs and was to happen in the year 1524. With this not only the vulgar but also learned men were so unreasonably infatuated that they victuall'd themselves as both Hall and * Chron. in An. p. 1014. Speed confidently report and went to high grounds for fear of being drown'd Amongst whom was this Prior who not only provided himself with a house here at Harrow but carried all sorts of provisions with him thither to serve him for the space of two months Mr. †Survey p. 417 419. Stow I acknowledge would have all this to be a fable and that Prior Bolton being also Parson of Harrow did only repair his Parsonage-house and build a Dove coat to serve him with that sort of fowl after he was spoiled of his Priory but the date of this Deluge and the dissolution of the Priory which was not till Anno 1539. 30 Hen. 8. not well agreeing I know not what to say to it but leave it to the Reader 's decision d As for the Royal Palace of Hampton Court Hampton Court inviron'd both House and Parks on three sides with the River Thames and consequently enjoying as pleasant a situation as the prudence of its first founder Cardinal Wolsey could select for it it was indeed as our Author says a piece of work of great magnificence for the age it was built in but the additions made to it by their present Majesties do so far excel what it was before that they evidently shew what vast advancements Architecture has receiv'd since that time The gardens also are improv'd to a wonderful degree not only in the walks both open and close and the great variety of Topiary-works but with Green-houses too having stoves under them so artificially contriv'd that all foreign plants are there preserved in gradual heats suitable to the Climes of their respective Countries whereof they are natives In short the whole seems to be design'd with so much magnificence that when it is finisht the noblest Palaces must fall short of it e Somewhat lower upon the river lyes the town of Brentford B entford where the Thames was anciently so easily forded and is so still I mean at old Brentford there being now at low ebb not above three foot water that beside the instance mention'd by our Author * Chron. Sax. in Anno 1016. King Edmund past the Thames again at the same place and went thence into Kent after the Enemy where he prevail'd so against them that he drove them into Shepey Ibidem Since which time I do not find any thing of moment that ever happen'd here till 1642. when King Charles 1. coming after his victory at Edghill with his forces from Oxford towards London with the loss but of ten men beat two of the best Regiments of the Parliament-forces out of this town kill'd their Commander in chief took 500 Prisoners as many Arms eleven Colours fifteen pieces of Canon and then marcht to Oatlands Reading and so back again to Oxford In which action the right honourable Patric Ruthen Earl of Forth in Scotland performing the part of an expert and valiant Commander was first made General of the King's Army and in further consideration of his eminent services by Letters Patents bearing date at Oxford May 27. 20 Car. 1. advanced to the dignity of an Earl by the title of Earl of Brentford in this County upon account no doubt of that particular service he did here Near the Roman high-way which passes through this town and so over Hounslow-heath toward Pontes lyes the village of Arlington Arlington alià s Harlington which having been the ancient seat of the Bennets and particularly of Sir Henry Bennet principal Secretary of State and one of the Privy Council to King Charles the second when his Majesty thought fit to set a mark of Honour on him for the many signal services he had done the Crown in the Court the Camp and in foreign Embassies this place was thought of as most proper for his title whereof he was first created Baron afterwards Earl and quickly after made Knight of the most noble order of the Garter and in Sept. 1674. Lord Chamberlain of the House-hold f Below Brentford on the other side of the river lyes Fulham Fulham in Saxon Fullan-hamme and Fullan homme remarkable not only for the Bishop of London's house there but as the Saxon Chronicle and that of Mailros both tell us for an Army of the Danes wintering there An. Dom. 879. whence they decampt the same year and went into Flanders then call'd Fronc-land and encampt themselves at Gaunt where they remain'd another year g And below that Chelsey Chelsey where a College was once design'd for Students in Divinity and others who were to make it their whole business to oppose the Church of Rome as appears by an Act of Parliament 7 Jac. 1. and a Declaration set forth by the same King An. 1616. specifying what mov'd the King and State to found this College and why here rather than at either of the Universities for account whereof I refer the Reader to Mr. * P. 257 c. Stow's Survey For the furtherance whereof the King sent his Letters to the Archbishop of Canterbury to move all the Bishops and whole Clergy of his Province to put to their helping hands which though actually done and in a time of deep peace and †S. Hern's Dâ—â—mus Carthuâ—iana p. 58. though eagerly sollicited by Dr. Sutcliff Dean of Exeter the first design'd Provost and our Author Mr. Camden who was one of the Fellows of it yet the building it self not to mention the want of endowments could never be further advanced than the outward shell of a College In which condition it stood till the Restoration of King Charles the second who quickly after erecting another Royal Society at London for promoting natural knowledge gave it to them but they never attempting any thing toward finishing or using it conveyed it back to the same King to
for she was married to Walter de Beauchamp whom King Stephen made Constable of England when he displaced Miles Earl of Glocester Within a few years after K. Stephen made Walleran Earl of Mellent 6 Twin-brother brother to Robert Bossu Robert de Monte. Earl of Leicester the first Earl of Worcester and gave him the City of Worcester which Walleran became a Monk and died at Preaux in Normandy in the year 1166. His son Robert who married the daughter of Reginald Earl of Cornwall and set up the standard of Rebellion against Hen. 2. and Peter the son of Robert who revolted to the French in 1203. used only the title of Earl of Mellent as far as I have observed and not of Worcester For K. Hen. 2. who succeeded Stephen did not easily suffer any to enjoy those honours under him which they had received from his enemy For as the Annals of the Monastery of Waverley have it he deposed the titular and pretended Earls among whom K. Stephen had indiscreetly distributed all the Revenues of the Crown After this till the time of K. Rich. 2. I know of none who bore the title of Earl of Worcester He conferred it upon Thomas Percy who being slain in the Civil wars by Hen. 4. Richard Beauchamp descended from the Abtots received this honour from K. Hen. 5. After him who died without heirs male John Tiptoft Lord Lieutenant of Ireland was created Earl of Worcester by K. Hen. 6. And he presently after siding with Edward 4. and accommodating himself with a blind obedience to the humour of that Prince became the Executioner of his vengeance till he in like manner lost his own head when Hen. 6. was restored But K. Edward having recovered the Crown restored Edward Tiptoft his son to all again He died without issue and the estate was divided among the sisters of that John Tiptoft who was Earl of Worcester Orig. 1 H. 7. R. 36. who were married to the Lord Roos Lord Dudley and Edmund Ingoldsthorp whereupon Charles Somerset natural son of Henry Duke of Somerset was honoured with that title by K. Hen. 8. to whom in a direct line have succeeded Henry William and Edward who is now living and among his other vertuous and noble qualities is to be honoured as a great Patron of good literature This County hath 152 Parishes ADDITIONS to WORCESTERSHIRE a AFTER the Britains were expell'd this nation by the Conquering Saxons they retir'd beyond the Severn and defended their new Territories against the encroaching Enemy So that the County of Worcester with those other through which that large river runs were for a long time the frontiers between the two people And * Breviar f. 26. p. 1. as Mr. Twine has observ'd most of the great cities that lye upon the East-shore of Severn and Dee were built to resist the irruptions of the Britains by the Romans or Saxons or both like as the Romans erected many places of strength on the West-shore of the Rhine to restrain the forcible invasions of the Germans into France b The people of those parts in Bede's time before England was divided into Counties were as our Author observes term'd Wiccii as also were some of their neighbours But the great question is how far that name reach'd the solution whereof is not attempted by Mr. Camden They seem to have inhâ—bited all that tract which was anciently subject to the Bishops of Worcester that is all Glocestershire on the East-side Severn with the city of Bristol all Worcestershire except 16 parishes in the North-west-part lying beyond Aberley-hills and the river Teme and near the South-half of Warwickshire with Warwick-town For as under the Heptarchy at first there was but one Bishop in each kingdom and the whole realm was his Diocese so upon the subdividing the kingdom of Mercia into five Bishopricks An. Dom. 679. of which Florentius Wigorniensis saith Wiccia was the first doubtless the Bishop had the entire Province under his jurisdiction and accordingly he was stil'd Bishop of the Wiccians and not of Worcester This will appear more probable yet from a passage in †P. 559. edit Lond. quarto Florentius who saith that Oshere Vice-Roy of the Wiccians perswaded Aethelred King of Mercia to make this division out of a desire that the Province of Wiccia which he govern'd with a sort of Regal power might have the honour of a Bishop of its own This being effected his See was at Worcester the Metropolis of the Province which according to ‖ Hist Ecel lib. 2. cap. 2. Bede border'd on the Kingdom of the West-Saxons that is Wiltshire and Somersetshire and Coteswold-hills lye in it which in Eadgar's Charter to Oswald is call'd Mons Wiccisca or Wiccian-hill tho' * Concil Tom. 1. p. 433. Spelman reads it corruptly Monte Wittisca and the †Monast Angl. T. 1. p. 140. Monasticon more corruptly Wibisca Moreover Sceorstan which possibly is the Shire-stone beyond these hills is said by ‖ Flor. p. 385. 4o. Florentius to be in Wiccia c Having premi's thus much concerning the ancient Inhabitants of those parts let us next with Mr. Camden go thorow the County it self In the very North-point whereof lies Stourbridge Stourbridge so nam'd from the river Stour upon which it stands a well-built market-town and of late much enrich'd by the iron and glass-works King Edward the sixth sounded and liberally endow'd a Grammar-school here and in our time near this place the pious munificence of Tho. Foley Esq erected a noble Hospital and endow'd it with Lands for the maintenance and education of 60 poor Children chosen mostly out of this and some neighbour parishes They are instructed in Grammar Writing Arithmetick c. to fit them for trades Their habit and discipline are much like that of Christ's Hospital in London d Going along with the Stour not far from its entrance into the Severn we meet with Kidderminster Kidderminster famous for the Bissets Lords of it part of whose estate Mr. Camden tells us upon a division came to an Hospital in Wiltshire built for Lepers This was Maiden-Bradley * Monast Angl. Tom. 2. p. 408. which was built by Manser Bisset in King Stephen's time or the beginning of Henr. 2. and endow'd by him and his son Henry long before the estate was divided among daughters †Dugd Baronage T. 1. p. 632. For that hapned not till the year 1241. so that the Tradition of the Leprous Lady is a vulgar fable e Leaving this river our next guide is the Severn upon which stands Holt-castle Holt castlâ—â— now the inheritance of the Bromleys descended from Sir Thomas Bromley Lord Chancellor of England in the middle of Queen Elizabeth's reign A little below Salwarp enters the Severn not far from the first lies Grafton Grafton which Mr. Camden tells us was given to Gilbert Talbot and that hapned upon the attainder of Humfrey Stafford Brook's Cataloguâ— of
tho' I have long consider'd it Antiquity has so obscur'd all memorials of them that there remain not the least footsteps whereby to trace them So that tho' Justus Lipsius that great Master of polite learning takes me for a competent judge of this controversie I must ingenuously profess my ignorance and that I would rather recommend this task to any one else than assume it to my self However if the Ceangi and Cangi may be allow'd to be the same and I don't know why they may not then 't is probable that they liv'd in this County For while I was reviewing this work I heard from some credible persons that there have been twenty pieces of Lead dug up on this shore of a square oblong form and thus inscribed in the hollow of the upper part IMP. DOMIT. AVG. GER DE CEANG. But in others IMP. VESP. VII T. IMP. V. COSS. Aâ— Câ— Which seems to have been a monument rais'd upon account of some victory over the Cangi And this opinion is confirm'd by the situation of the place upon the Irish Sea An 〈◊〉 for Tacitus in the twelfth Book of his Annals writes That in Nero's time Ostorius led an Army against the Cangi by which the fields were wasted and the spoil every where carried off the enemy not daring to engage but only at an advantage to attack our rear and even then they suffer'd for their attempt They were now advanc'd almost as far as that Sea towards Ireland when a mutiny among the Brigantes brought back the General again But from the former Inscription it seems they were not subdued before Domitian's time and consequently by Chronological computation it must be when Julius Agricola that excellent Souldier was Propraetor here Moreover Ptolemy places the Promontorium 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 on this coast Neither dare I look in any other part beside this Country for the Garrison of the Conganii where Coâ—â—â— towards the decline of the Empire a Band of Vigiles with their Captain under the Dux Britanniae kept watch and ward But I leave every man to his own judgment As for the Earls of Chester Eaâ—â—s â— Cheâ—â—â— to omit the Saxons who held this Earldom barely as an office and not as an inheritance William the Conquerour made Hugh sirnam'd Lupus son to the Viscount de Auranches in Normandy the first hereditary Earl of Chester and Count Palatine giving unto him and his heirs this whole County h See Ordericus Vitalis's Ecclesiastical History l. 4. p. 509. where Chester is given to Reger of Montgomery to hold as freely by his sword as he did England by his crown these are the very words of the Feoffment Baron Chestâ—â— Hereupon the Earl presently substituted these following Barons Nigell now Niel Baron of Haulton whose posterity took the name Lacey from the estate of the Laceys which fell to them and were Earls of Lincoln Robert Baron de Mont-hault Seneschal or Steward of the County of Chester the last of which family dying without children made Isabel Queen of England and John de Eltham Earl of Cornwall his heirs William de Malbedenge Baron of Malbanc whose great grand-daughters transferred this inheritance by their marriages to the Vernons and Bassets Richard Vernon Baron of Sipbroke whose estate for want of heirs male came by the sisters to the Wilburhams Staffords and Littleburys Robert Fitz-Hugh Baron of Malpas who as I have observ'd already seems to have died without issue Hammon de Mascy whose estate descended to the Fittons de Bolin Gilbert Venables Baron of Kinderton whose Posterity remain and flourish in a direct line to this present age N. Baron of Stockport to whom the Warrens of Poynton descended from the noble family of the Earls of Warren and Surrey in right of marriage succeeded And these are all the Barons I could hitherto find belonging to the Earls of Chester Who as 't is set down in an old book had their free Courts for all Pleas and Suits except those belonging to the Earl's sword They were besides to be the Earl's Counsel to attend him and to frequent his Court for the honour and greater grandeur of it and as we find it in an old Parchment they were bound in times of war with the Welsh to find for every Knight's fee one Horse and Furniture or two without Furniture within the Divisions of Cheshire and that their Knights and Freeholders should have Corslets and 〈…〉 Haubergeons and defend their own Fees with their own Bodies 〈…〉 Hugh the first Earl of Chester already spoken of was succeeded by his son Richard who together with William only son of Henry the first with others of the Nobility was cast away between England and Normandy An. 1120. He dying without issue Ranulph de Meschines was the third in this dignity being sister's son to Hugh the first Earl He dying left a son Ranulph sirnam'd de Gernoniis the fourth Earl of Chester a stout Souldier who at the Siege of Lincoln took King Stephen prisoner His son Hugh sirnam'd Kevelioc was the fifth Earl who dy'd An. 1181. leaving his son Ranulph sirnam'd de Blundevill the sixth in that dignity who built Chartley and Beeston-castles founded the Abbey de-la-Cress and died without issue leaving four sisters to inherit Mawd the wife of David Earl of Huntingdon Mabil the wife of William de Albeney Earl of Arundel Agnes wife of William de Ferrars Earl of Derby and lastly Avis wife of Robert de Quincy The next Eâ—rl of this County was John sirnam'd Scotus the son of Earl David by the eldest sister Mawd aforesaid He dying likewise without issue King Henry the third bribed with the prospect of so fair an Inheritance annexed it to the Crown allowing the sisters of John other Revenues for their Fortunes not being willing as he was wont to say that such a vast estate should be parcelled among Distaffs The Kings themselves when this County devolved upon them J. Tillus maintain'd their ancient Palatine Prerogatives and held their Courts as the Kings of France did in the Counties of Champain that the Honour of the Palatinate might not be extinguished by difuse An Honour which afterwards was conferred upon the eldest sons of the Kings of England and first granted to Edward the son of Henry the third who being taken prisoner by the Barons parted with it as ransom for his Liberty to Simon de Montfort Earl of Leicester who being cut off soon after it quickly returned to the Crown and Edward the second made his eldest son Earl of Chester and Flint and under these titles summon'd him when but a Child to Parliament Afterwards Richard the second by Act of Parliament raised this Earldom to a Principality and annexed to it the Castle of Leon with the Territories of Bromfield and Yale and likewise the Castle of Chirk with Chirkland and the Castle of Oswalds-street with the Hundred and eleven Towns appertaining to the said Castle with the Castles of
of Archenfeld whenever the Army marches forward against the Enemy by custom make the Avauntward and in the return homeward the Rereward As the Munow runs along the lower pâ—rt of this County The river Wye so the Wye with a winding course cuts it in the middle upon which in the Western bounds stands Clifford-castle Cliffâ—rd-Castle which William Fitz-Osborn Earl of Hereford built upon his own Waste these are the very words of Domesday-book but Ralph de Todeny held it Clivus fortis It is suppos'd that it came afterwards to Walter the son of Richard Punt a Norman for his sirname was de Clifford and from him the illustrious family of the Cliffords Earls of Cumberland are originally descended But in King Edward the first 's time Inq. 26 E. 1. John Giffard held it who married the heir of Walter Clifford Thence the Wye with a crooked and winding stream rolls by Whitney which has given name to a noted family next by Bradwardin-Castle that gave both original and name to the famous Thomas Bradwardin Archbishop of Canterbury who for the great variety of his studies and his admirable proficiency in the most abstruse and hidden parts of learning was in that age honour'd with the title of * The Profound Dâ—ctor Doctor profundus At length it comes to Hereford the Metropolis of this County b How far that little Tract Arcenfeld reach'd I know not but the affinity between these names Ereinuc Arcenfeld the town Ariconium mention'd by Antonine in these parts and Hareford or Hereford Hereford the present Metropolis of this Shire have by little and little induc'd me to this opinion that they are every one deriv'd from Ariconium And yet I do not believe that Ariconium and Hereford were the same but as Basle in Germany has challeng'd the name of Augusta Rauracorum and Baldach in Assyria that of Babylon because as this had its original from the ruins of Babylon so that had its birth from those of Augusta so our Hariford for thus the common people call it had its name and beginning from its neighbour Ariconium as I am of opinion which at this day has no clear marks of a town having been destroyed as 't is reported by an Earthquake Only it still retains a slight shadow of the name being call'd Kenchester Kenchester and shews some ruins of old Walls call'd Kenchester Walls about which are often dug up stones of inlaid Checquer-work British bricks Roman coyns c. c But Hareford her daughter which carries more express remains of the name d stands eastward scarce three Italian miles from it amongst meadows extremely pleasant and corn-fields very fruitful encompass'd almost round about with rivers by an anonymous one on the north and west sides on the south by the Wye which hastens hither out of Wales It is supposed to have first sprung up when the Saxon Heptarchy was in its glory founded as some write by Edward the â—lder and indeed there is no mention of it more ancient For the Britains before the name of Hereford was known called the place Trefawith from Beech-trees and Henford from an Old way and the Saxons themselves Fern-leg of Fern. It owes if I mistake not it 's greatest encrease and growth to Religion and the Martyrdom of Ethelbert a King of the East-Angles who whilst in person he courted the daughter of Offa King of the Mercians was villanously way-laid and murmurder'd by Quendreda Offa's wife who longed more for the Kingdom of the East-Angles than to have her daughter honestly and honourably married He was hereupon registred in the Catalogue of Martyrs S 〈◊〉 Mâ—â—â—â— and had a Church here built and dedicated to him by Milfrid a petty King of the Country which being soon after adorn'd with a Bishop's See grew very rich first by the liberality of the Mercian afterwards of the West-Saxon Kings For they at length were possessed of this City as may be gathered from William of Malmesbury where he writes that Athelstan the West-Saxon forc'd the Princes of Wales in this City to comply with such hard conditions as to pay him tribute besides hounds and hawks 20 pound weight of gold and 300 pound of silver every year This city as far as I have observ'd by reading had never any misfortune unless it were in the year of our Lord 1055. when Gryffin Prince of South-Wales and Algar an Englishman rebelling against Edward the Confessor after they had routed Earl Ralph sacked the City destroy'd the Cathedral and carried away captive Leofgar the Bishop But Harold having soon quieted their bold rebellion fortified it as Floriacensis informs us with a broad and high Rampire Upon this account it is that Malmesbury ‖ Lib â— Pâ—â—â—â— writes thus Hereford is no great City and yet by the high and formidable ruins of its steep and broken Bulwarks it shews it has been some great thing and as it appears by Domesday book there were in all but 103 men within and without the walls The Normans afterwards built a very large and strong Castle on the east-side of the Cathedral along the river Wye the work as some report of Earl Miles but now ruin'd by time and falling to decay e Afterwards they wall'd the City about In the reign of King Hen. 1. was founded by Bishop Reinelm that beautiful Church now to be seen which his successors enlarged by adding to it a neat College and fine houses for the Prebendaries For besides the Bishop who has 302 Churches in his Diocese there are in this Church a Dean two Archdeacons a Praecentor a Chancellour a Treasurer and 28 Prebendaries I saw in it scarce any monuments besides those of the Bishops and I have heard that Thomas Cantlow the Bishop a person nobly born had here a stately and magnificent tomb who being canonized for his holiness wanted little of out-shining the Royal Martyr Ethelbert so great was the opinion of his piety and devotion f According to Geographers the Longitude of this City is 20 degrees 24 minutes Lat. 52 degrees 6 min. g The Wye has scarce gone three miles from this City when he intercepts the river Lug which having run with a rapid stream down from Radnor-Hills with a still course glides through this Province from the north-west to the south-east h At the first entrance it has a distant prospect of Brampton Brian a Castle which a famous family hence sirnam'd de Brampton Brampton Brian whose christian name was usually Brian held by a continual succession to the time of King Edward 1. then by female-heirs it came to R. Harley But it has a nearer view of Wigmore Wigmore in Saxon b Wigingamere in the Saxon Annals Wynginga-mere repair'd in ancient times by King Edw. the elder afterwards fortify'd with a Castle by William Earl of Hereford in the wast of a ground for so it is in Domesday book which was called Marestun in the tenure of Randulph de Mortimer from
to supply all Wales It is also at this time very rich in cattel 1 And findeth out great multitudes and affords milstones in some places also a kind of Alum-earth e Of the Alumen plumosum or Amianthus found at a plaee call'd Kâ—ie Lhywarck in the Parish of Lhan-Vair yng Hornwy See Phil Trans n. 166. of which they lately began to make Alum and Coperas but the project not succeeding they have now desisted 〈◊〉 This is that celebrated Island Mona anciently the seat of the Druids attempted first by Paulinus Suetonius and reduced under the Roman yoke by Julius Agricola In the reign of Nero this Paulinus Suetonius as we read in Tacitus prepared for an attempt on the Island Mona a very populous country and a receptacle of deserters and to that end built flat-bottom'd vessels because the shores were but shallow and hazardous thus the foot passed over and the horse follow'd either at a ford or else in deeper waters as occasion required swam their horses On the opposite shore stood the Enemies army well provided of arms and men besides women running about with dishevel'd hair like furies in a mournful habit bearing torches in their hands About the army stood the Druids who with hands lifted up to heaven pouring forth dreadful Imprecations so terrified the soldiers with the novelty of the sight that as if their limbs had been benumm'd they exposed their bodies like so many stocks to the strokes of the enemy But at last partly by exhortation of the General and partly by encouraging each others not to stand amazed at the sight of distracted women and ‖ Fanaticum agmen a company of frantick people they advance their ensigns and trample down their enemies thrusting them into their own fires They being thus conquer'd a garrison was planted there and their groves cut down which were consecrated to their cruel superstitions For they held it lawful to sacrifice with the blood of Captives and by inspection into humane Entrails to consult their Gods But while these things were in agitation a sudden revolt of the whole Province recall'd him from this enterprise Afterwards as the same Author writes Julius Agricola resolves to reduce the Island Mona from the Conquest whereof Paulinus was recall'd as we have already observ'd by a general rebellion in Britain but being unprovided of transport Vessels as it commonly happens in doubtful resolutions the policy and courage of the General found new means of conveying over his army For having first laid down their baggage â—he commanded the choicest of the Auxiliaries to whom the fords were well known and whose custom it was in their country so to swim as to be able to guide themselves and their arms and horses to pass over the chanel Which was done in such a surprising manner that the enemies who expected a Navy and watch'd the sea stood so much amazed that supposing nothing difficult or invincible to men of such resolution they immediately supplicated for peace and surrender'd the Island So Agricola became famous and great a Many ages after when it was conquer'd by the English it took up their name being call'd formerly by the Saxons Engles-ea and now Anglesey which signifies the English Island But seeing Humfrey Lhwyd in his learned Epistle to that accomplish'd Scholar Ortelius has restor'd the Island to its ancient name and dignity it is not necessary we should dwell long upon this County However we may add that about the decline of the Roman Government in Britain some of the Irish Nation crept into this Island For besides certain intrench'd Banks which they call Irish Cottages there is another place well known by the name of Yn hericy Gwidil from some Irish who under the conduct of one Sirigi overcame the Britains there as we read in the Book of Triades b Nor was it afterwards harass'd by the English only Marianus but also by the Norwegians and in the year 1000 a Navy of King Aethelred sailing round the Island wasted and consum'd it in a hostile manner c Afterwards two Normans of the name of Hugh the one Earl of Chester and the other of Salop oppress'd it and to restrain the Inhabitants built the Castle of Aber Lhienawg But Magnus the Norwegian coming thither at the same time 2 Shot the said Hugh Earl of Shrewsbury c. shot Hugh Earl of Chester through the body with an arrow and pillaging the Island departed The English having afterwards often attempted it at last brought it under their subjection in the time of Edward the first It contain'd formerly 363 Villages and is a very populous Country at this time The chief Town is Beaumaris Beaumaris built in the East part of it in a moorish place by King Edward the first and call'd by the name of Beau marish from its situation whereas the place before was call'd a This wherever our Author found it seems to be no British name Bonover He also fortified it with a Castle which yet seems not to have been ever finish'd the present Governour whereof is the right worshipful Sir Richard Bulkley Knight whose civility towards me when I survey'd these Counties I must always gratefully acknowledge Not far from hence lyes Lhan Vâes Lhan Vâes a famous Cloister heretofore of the Friers minors to which the Kings of England have been bountiful Patrons as well on account of the devoutness and exemplary lives of the Friers who dwelt there as that I may speak out of the Book of Records because there were buried at that place a daughter of King John 2 Paâ—lâ—t Ann. 2 li â—â— a son of the King of Denmark the bodies of the Lord Clifford and of other Lords Knights and Esquires who were slain in the wars of Wales in the times of the illustrious Kings of England The Town of Newburgh Newbâ—rgâ— in British Rhosîr d is esteem'd next best to Beaumarish distant from it about twelve miles westward which having strugl'd along time with the heaps of Sand cast against it by the Sea has now lost much of its former splendour Abèr-Fraw Abèr-Fraâ— not far from thence tho' at present but a mean place waâ— yet heretofore of much greater repute than any of the rest as being the Royal Seat of the Kings of Gwynedh or North-Wales who were thence also styl'd Kings of Abèr-Fraw Near the western Cape of this Island which we call Holy-head Holy heâ—d there 's a small Village call'd in Welsh Kaer Gybi which receiv'd its name from Kybi a devout man and Disciple of St. Hilary of Poictiers who led here a religious life from whence there is a common passage into Ireland e Of the Islâ—nds adjoyniâ—g 〈◊〉 Aâ—gleâ—â—â— see an◠〈◊〉 the Bâ—â—â— Isles The other places of this Island are well planted with Villages which seeing they afford little worth our notice I shall now pass over into the Continent and take a view of Denbighshire There are in this Island
Welsh Kaer Gwrle into this King Edward 1. retired when the Welsh had surpriz'd his Army near which there are milstones Milstones hewn out of a rock and likewise Mold call'd in British Y Wydhgrig the castle formerly of the Barons of Monthault e both which shew many tokens of antiquity Near Hope whilst I was drawing up these notes a certain Gardener digging somewhat deep discover'd a very ancient work concerning which several have made various conjectures but whoever consults M. Vitruvius Pollio will find it no other than the beginning of a Hypocaust of the Romans who growing luxurious as their wealth increas'd used Baths Baths very much It was five ells long four broad and about half an ell in height encompass'd with walls hewn out of the live-rock The floor was of brick set in mortar the roof was supported with brick pillars and consisted of polish'd tiles which at several places were perforated on these were laid certain brick tubes which carried off the force of the heat and thus as the Poet saith Volvebant hypocausta vaporem Now who can suppose but that they were such Hypocausts which Giraldus so much admired at Kaer Lheion in Monmouthshire when he writ thus of the Roman works there And which seems more particularly remarkable you may see there several stoves contriv'd with admirable skill breathing heat insensibly through small pipes c. Whose work this was appears by this Inscription on some tiles there LEGIO XX. for the twentieth Legion which was stiled Victrix as we have shewn already lay in garrison at Chester scarce six miles hence Near unto this river Alen in a narrow place beset with woods lies Coleshull Câ—â—eshull call'd by Giraldus Collis Carbonarius or a Cole-hill Where when King Henr. 2. had made all diligent preparation to give battel to the Welsh the English by reason of their disorder'd multitude were defeated and the King's standard was forsaken by Henry of Essex who by right of inheritance was standard-bearer to the Kings of England Whereupon being charged with treason and overcome by his adversary in a duel and his estate forfeited to the crown he was so much ashamed of his cowardise that he put on a hood and retir'd into a Monastery There is another small part of this County on this side Dee in a manner wholly divided from the rest call'd English Maelor English Maelor whereof we have taken notice in Cheshire when we gave some account of Bangor f and therefore need not repeat here what we have written already Nor remains there any thing to be mention'd except Han-mere Han-mere seated by a lake or mear whence that ancient and honourable family that dwells there took the name of Hanmer The Earls of Chester Earls of Chester by light skirmishes with the Welsh as occasion and opportunity offer'd were the first Normans that subdued this County Whence in ancient records we read That the County of Flint appertaineth to the dignity of the sword of Chester and the eldest sons of the Kings of England were formerly stiled Earls of Chester and Flint But when it was added to the Crown King Edward 1. Policy of Edw. 1. supposing it very advantageous as well to maintain his own as to bridle the Welsh kept this and all the maritim parts of Wales in his own hands and distributed the inland countreys to his Nobles as he thought convenient imitating herein the policy of Augustus Caesar who himself undertook the charge of the outward and most potent Provinces permitting the rest to the government of Proconsuls by lot And this he did with a shew of defending his Empire but in reality that he might keep the Armies under his own command This County hath only 28 Parishes ADDITIONS to FLINTSHIRE a WHether the ancient Varis was seated at the same place we call Bod Farri I shall not dispute but the name of Moel y Gaer which our Author interprets the City-hill seems but a slender confirmation of it For we cannot doubt but that place receiv'd it's name from the fortification or entrenchments that are yet to be seen there the word Kaer as we have already hinted signifying strictly only a Wall Fortress or Enclosure which being prefix'd to the names of Roman towns because fortified has occasion'd several to suppose the genuine signification of it to be a Town or City We have divers camps on our mountains call'd Kaereu where we have not the least grounds to suspect that ever any Cities were founded and in some places I have observ'd the Churchyard-wall to be call'd Kaer y Vynwent nor does it seem improbable that this Kaer was deriv'd originally from Kai which signifies to shut up or enclose This fortification is exactly round and about 160 paces over we may frame an idea of it by supposing a round hill with the top cut off and so made level All round it the earth is rais'd in manner of a Parapet and almost opposite to the Avenue there is a kind of Tumulus or artificial Mount At this Moel y Gaer Howel Gwynedh 〈◊〉 MS. Oâ—â—r◠〈…〉 ap 〈◊〉 who sided with Owen Glyndwr against King Henry 4. was beheaded He was one who for a long time annoy'd the English of his neighbourhood but being taken at length by his enemies of the town of Flint and beheaded at this place his estate was disposed of to one Saxton Before him one Owen ap Aldud had also opposed the English in these borders who by force of arms kept all Tegaingl under his subjection for about three years until such time as he had obtain'd full pardon I can add nothing in confirmation of our Author's conjecture that the word Varia signified anciently a Passage nor can I perceive on what grounds he first suspected it unless he supposed the Romans might coyn it out of the British Fordh which signifies a way but it seems a little too hard the letter d should be wholly omitted for in such British names as they latiniz'd we find they generally either retain'd the consonants or changed them for letters of the same organ However though I cannot acquiesce in this Etymology of Varis yet I dare not assign any other as not knowing any British word that comes near it except Gwair for 't is a rule confirm'd by at least forty examples that where the Romans use the letter v. the Britains have gw which having no other signification than Hay makes little to our purpose b At Rhudhlan though it be now a mean village we find the manifest signs of a considerable town as of the Abbey and Hospital and of a gate at least half a mile from the village One of the towers in the Castle is call'd Tŵr y Brenin i.e. King's tower and below the hill upon the bank of the river we find another apart from the Castle call'd Tŵr Silod Offa King of Mercia and M'redyth King of Dyved died in the battel fought at Rhudhlan in the year 794.
narrower than the front or back on this are engraved in Bass-relieve the Cutting-knife cesespita and the Axe securis The Knife is exactly the same with that on the other Altar formerly by me mention'd in the Philosophical Collections of Mr. Hooke but the Axe is different for here it is headed with a long and crooked point and there the head of the Axe is divided into three points 3. The other side on which are engraved after the same manner an Eure Urceolus and a Ladle which serve for a Sympullum This I call rather a Ladle than a Mallet it being perfectly Dish-wise and hollow in the middle although Camden is of another opinion in that elegant Sculpt of the Cumberland Altar And the very same Utensil I have seen and noted on the Ickley Altar which is yet extant at Middleton Grange near that town but the stone which Camden says supports a pair of stairs there as at this day it does in the very road is but an ill copy of it and not the original 4. The plane of the top which is cut in the figure of a Bason discus or lanx with Ansae on each side consisting of a pair of links of a chain which rest upon and fall over two rowles and this was the Harth 5. The Front which hath an Inscription of nine lines in Roman letters each letter a very little more than two inches deep of our measure now remaining as in the prefix'd sculpture Fig. 5. which I would read thus Dis deabusque Matribus pro Salute M. Aurelii Antonini Augusti Imperatoris votum solvit lubens meritò ob reditum The Deae Matres are well interpreted by Selden It is much his Safety and Return both vowed should be so separated in the Inscription but I have not Gruter by me to compare this with the like Caracalla say the Historians 〈…〉 c. after his father's death at York took upon him the command of the army alone and the whole Empire he went alone against the enemy who were the Caledonii inhabiting beyond the wall which his father had built he made peace with them received their hostages slighted their fortified places and returned And this seems to be confirmed by the Inscription for undoubtedly upon this his last expedition alone without his brother Geta and mother was this Altar erected to him alone at a place about two Stations on this side the wall So that the vow might be as well understood of his return from this expedition as for his safety and return to Rome which methinks should be true or his mother and brother Geta would scarce have been left out at least so early For yet the Army declared for them both according to their father's will Further it seems also to have been erected by those who flatter'd him and who were afterwards killed by him and for this reason the persons names who dedicated it seem to me to be purposely defaced the sixth and seventh lines of the Inscription being designedly cut away by the hollowness of them and there not being the least sign of any letter remaining And this I suppose might be part of their disgrace as it was usual to deface and break the Statues and Monuments of persons executed of which this monster made strange havock But since worn Inscriptions admit of various readings because some letters are worn out and some more legible whereby unprejudiced people may conceive them diversly I will therefore tell you another reading of part of the two first lines which I do not disallow but that it will agree well enough with the history of Severus though his Apotheosis or solemn deification was not performed till he came to Rome in the manner of which Funeral-pomp Herodian is very large it was of that excellent Antiquary Dr. Johnson of Pomfret CONSERVATO RI. B. PROS c. The rest as follows in mine Which shews the height of flattery of those times So that they paid their vows to the lately dead father the Conservator of Britain for the safety of the son and the story tells us how gladly he would have had him made a God long before even with his own hand More rare Plants growing in the Bishoprick of Durham Buphthalmum vulgare Ger. Dioscoridis C. B. Matthioli sive vulgare millefolii foliis Park Chamaemelum chrysanthemum quorundam J. B. Common Ox-eye I found this on a bank near the river Tees not far from Sogburn in this Bishoprick Cerasus sylvestris septentrionalis fructu parvo serotino The wild northern Cherry-tree with small late ripe fruit On the banks of the river Tees near Bernards-castle in the Bishoprick plentifully Ribes vulgaris fructu rubro Ger. vulgaris acidus ruber J. B. Red Currants In the woods as well in this Bishoprick of Durham as in the northern parts of Yorkshire and in Westmorland Pentaphylloides fruticosa Shrub-Cinquefoil This is also found in this County LANCASHIRE I Must strike off now to another Road and proceed to those Brigantes who settled beyond the Mountains towards the Western Ocean And first for those of Lancashire whom I approach with a kind of aversion I wish it forebode no ill success I fear I shall be so far from satisfying the Reader that I shall not satisfie my self For after I had survey'd the far greater part of this County I found but very few things as I had wish'd them the ancient names seem'd to be every where so much obscured by Antiquity However not to seem wanting to this County I will run the hazard of the attempt hoping that that Divine assistance will not now fail me which hath hitherto favour'd me Under the Mountains which as I have often observ'd run along through the middle of England and as I may say make themselves Umpires and define the several Shires and Counties lyes this County of Lancaster on the West in Saxon Loncaster-scyre commonly Lonka-shire Lancashire and the County Palatine of Lancaster because this County is dignified with the title of Palatine County Palatine See the beginning of Châ—shire It lyes pent up between Yorkshire on the East and the Irish Sea on the West but on the South part towards Châ—shire 't is broader and by little and little as it shoots out into the North where it borders upon Westmorland it grows strait and narrow And there by the intrusion of the Sea it is broke off so that no small part of it lyes beyond this Bay and joyns to Cumberland Where this County is plain and level it yields Barley and Wheat pretty well in the bottoms of the hills Oats grow best The Soil of it is every where tolerable except in some moist and unwholsome places call'd Mosses Mosses which notwithstanding make amends for these conveniences by many countervailing benefits For the surface of them being par'd off makes an excellent fat Turf Turfs for fuel and sometimes they yield Trees that have either grown under ground or lain long buried there Below in
agger runs this way to Brovonacum by Aballaba mention'd in the Notitia the name whereof is to this day kept so entire that it plainly shews it to be the same and leaves no grounds for dispute k For instead of Aballaba Aballaba we call it at this day by a little contraction Apelby Apelby Nothing is memorable about it besides it's antiquity and situation for under the Romans it was the Station of the Mauri Aureliani and 't is seated in a pretty pleasant field and almost encompass'd with the river Eden d 'T is one of the best Corn-markets in these Northern parts But it is of so little resort and the buildings so mean that if Antiquity did not make it the chief town of the County and the Assizes e The Assizes are kept in the Town-hall and the Thieves in the Gaol at the bridge-end were not kept in the Castle which is the publick Gaol for Malefactors it would be but very little above a village l For all its beauty consists in one broad street which runs from north to south up an easie ascent at the head whereof the Castle rises up f It is not near surrounded but where the river comes not there are bulwarks and trenches standing with water almost entirely surrounded with the river At the lower end is the Church and a School built by Robert Langton and Miles Spencer Doctors of Law m the present worthy Master whereof is Reginald Bainbrigg a very learned Gentleman who courteously transcrib'd for me several ancient Inscriptions and has remov'd some into his own garden It was not without good reason that William of Newburrow call'd this place and Burgh spoken of before * Regias munitiones Royal Forts where he tells us that William King of Scots took them by surprise a little before he himself was taken at Alnewick Afterwards they were recover'd by King John who gave them to John de Veteri ponte or Vipont as a reward for his good services From hence the river posts forward to the northwest by Buley Castle belonging to the Bishop of Carlisle n and by Kirkby-Thore below which there appear the vast ruins of an old town where also Roman Coins are now and then dug up and not long ago this Inscription DEO BELATVCADRO LIB VOTV M. FECIT IOLVS Age has quite worn out the old name and g Dr. Gâ—â— in his Notes upon Nennius p. 133. thinks this conjecture well illustrated in an old MS. fragment in Sir John Cotton's Library which seems to intimate something of a quarrel betwixt Ambrosius and Geitolinus and his son Marchantus at Catguoloph This he fancies is the same that is now call'd Whâ—llâ—p or Whâ—llop-Castle in Westmorland and he believes the neighbouring ruins of Marchantoniby carrying such evident remains of Maâ—chantus a great support to his opinion But what if there should be no such place as Marchantoniby 'T is certain there 's no such thing appears at this day as the hanging-walls mention'd by Mr. Camden and 't is possible he might be abus'd in the story Besides I see no reason but Caâ—gâ—â—â—pâ— in one of the learned Doctor 's Appendices may be the same with either Catgabail Catgubail Catgualat or Catgublaum in the other and thâ—â—e are manifestly the names of men and not of places they call it at this day Wheallep-Castle Whellep-castle o If it might be done without offence to the Criticks in Antiquity I should say this was the Gallagum mention'd by Ptolemy and call'd by Antoninus Gallatum Gallatum Which conjecture as it agrees with the distances in the Itinerary so is it partly favour'd by the present name For such names as the Britains begun with Gall the English turn'd into Wall Thus Galena was call'd Wailing-ford Gall-Sever Wall of Sever c. This was without doubt a place of considerable note seeing an old causey commonly call'd Maiden-way Maiden-way runs almost directly from this place to Caer-Vorran near the Picts Wall along moorish hills and mountains for some 20 miles Upon this I am enclin'd to believe the old Stations and Mansions mention'd by Antoninus in his ninth Iter to have been setled tho' no one has pointed out the particular places p For indeed how should they when Time which consumes and destroys every thing has been as it were seeding upon them for so many ages Hard by at Crawdundale-waith there appear ditches rampires and great mounts of earth cast up among which was found this Roman Inscription transcrib'd for me by the abovemention'd Reginald Bainbrig School-master of Appleby It was cut in a rough sort of rock but the fore-part of it was worn away with age 5 Or thrust out by the root of a tree there growing VARRONIVS ECTVS LEG XX. V. V. AEL LVCANVS P. LEG II. AVG. C. i.e. as I read it Varronius Praefectus legionis vicesimae Valentis victricis Aelius Lucanus Praefectus legionis secundae Augustae castrametati sunt or some such thing q For the Legio Vicesima Valens Victrix which quarter'd at Deva or West-Chester as also the Legio secunda Augusta which quarter'd at Isca or Caer-Leon in Wales being both detach'd against the enemy in these parts seem to have fix'd here and to have pitch'd their camps for some time and 't is probable that the Officers in memory of it might engrave this in the rock r When this was done is hard to determine tho' to mark out the time these words were engraven in large characters and are still to be seen in a rock near it CN OCT. COT. COSS. But in the Consular Fasti I do not find that any two of that name were Consuls together s This observation however I have made that from the age of Severus to that of Gordian and after the Letter A in the Inscriptions found in this Island wants the cross-stroke and is engrav'd thus Λ. Λ 〈◊〉 Next Eden runs along not far from Howgil a castle of the Sandfords but the Roman military way runs directly west through Whinfeild a large park thick set with trees to Brovoniacum Wh 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Nâ—â— is the 〈◊〉 as a Fâ—â— Bâ—ovonâ—cum 20 Italian miles but 17 English from Verterae as Antoninus has fix'd it He calls it also Brocovum as the Notitia Broconiacum from which we understand that the * 〈…〉 Company of the Defensores had their abode here Tho' Age has consum'd both it's buildings and splendour yet the name is preserv'd almost entire in Brougham Broughham as we call it at present Here the river Eimot which runs out of a large Lake and is for some space the border between this County and Cumberland receives the river Loder near the head whereof at Shap formerly Hepe a small Monastery built by Thomas Fitz Gospatrick son of Orm there is a Well which like Euripus ebbs and flows several times in a day t as also large stones in the form of Pyramids some of them 9 foot high and
and Burrows wherein all our Troops were garison'd it was not possible for the Barbarians to make inroads the Enemy being planted in all parts for their reception But Constantine quitting that custom of Forts and Garisons remov'd the better half of the Souldiers from the Frontiers into Towns that had no occasion for them and so both expos'd the Marches to the fury of the Barbarians and pester'd the Cities that had liv'd quietly and undisturb'd with quartering of Souldiers The dâ—â— of the Râ—man Eâ—pire by which means several of them were left desolate without Inhabitants The Souldiers themselves he effeminated with shows and pleasures and in a word laid the first foundation of that gradual decay and ruin which is at this day so visible in the Empire The Country between the two Frontier-fences was so entirely recover'd by Theodosius Marceâ—â— l 38. About â—â— year â—â— father of Theodosius the Emperour that he built Cities in it fortify'd it with Castles Garisons and Barriers and having thus recover'd it so compleatly reduc'd it to the former condition as to set over it a * Reâ—â—â—â— legrimâ—â— Vaâ—â—â— Câ—dâ—â— Theâ—â—â— lawful Governour and have it call'd Valentia in honour of Valentinian Theodosius also his son when his signal courage had promoted him to the Empire took particular care of the Frontiers and commanded that the Magister Officiorum or Scout-Master-General should every year signifie to the Emperour how the Souldiery stood and what care was taken of the Castles and Fences But when the affairs of the Empire begun visibly to run to ruin and the Picts and Scots breaking through the Turf-wall at Bodotria made havock of all these parts Bâ—â—dus the Roman Legion under Gallio of Ravennas was sent to their assistance and repuls'd the Barbarians The fifth â—ratentura But being recall'd for the defence of Gaul they advis'd the Britains take it in the very words of Gildas and Bede to build a Wall cross the Island between the two Seas which might secure them against the Incursions of the Enemy and so return'd home in great triumph But the Islanders building this Wall Non tam â—â—pâ—dious â—um cespiâ—ous not of stone but of turf as wanting skilful hands to carry on such a great work it signified nothing So Gildas tells us that being built up of turf not of stone and that by an unskilful rabble without any Director it stood them in no stead Concerning the place where this Wall was built Bede goes on thus Now they made it between the two arms or bosoms of the sea for a great many miles together that where the Waters did not defend them the Wall might be a security against the Incursions of the Enemy Such a Wall as this but of a vast length defended Assyria against foreign Invasions as Marcellinus has told us And the Seres Chinese at this day as we read in Osorius fence their Valleys and Plains with Walls to assist them in keeping out the Scythians â—he Wall â—â—tween â—â—iâ—â—er-â—ugh-Frith â—nd Doâ—â—â—â—onâ—th Of which work i.e. of a very broad and high Wall the express footsteps are visible at this day It begins at almost two miles distance from the Monastery Abercuruinig on the East in a place call'd in the language of the Picts Penuahel but in the English Penueltun and so running Westward ends hard by the City Alcluith But their old Enemies assoon as they understood the Roman Legion was gone presently set sail throw down the bounds put all to the sword and as it were mow them like ripe Corn trample under foot and over-run all in their way Upon this they send Ambassadours to Rome once more who in a most melancholy address desire assistance that their miserable Country may not be quite ruin'd and the name of a Roman Province which had so long flourisht among them be thrown out and brought under contempt by the insolence of foreign Nations A Legion is again sent over which surprising them in Autumn when they did not so much as dream of them slew great numbers of the Enemy and drove back such as could make their escape over the arm of the Sea whereas before that they us'd to keep their set times for invasions and plunders every year without any manner of disturbance â—ouâ— the â—r of our â—d â—20 â—â—tus 〈◊〉 it Theoâ—â—'s â—reâ—ry â—â— â—diers â—â—â—n'd â—â—g the â—â—l â—â—â—merus â—â—meus And now the Romans retir'd to Severus's wall and along the Linea Valli as the Notitia which was writ about the latter end of Theodosius the younger has it i.e. all-along the wall on both sides there lay in garison five ‖ wings of Horse with their Praefects fifteen Cohorts of Foot with their Tribunes one * band and one †squadron But these we have spoke of in their proper places and shall have occasion to mention them hereafter Concerning what follow'd Bede goes on thus Then the Romans told the Britains once for all that they could not endure such toilsome expeditions for their defence but advis'd them by all means to betake themselves to their Arms and to dispute the cause with the enemy suggesting that they wanted nothing to be too hard for them but only to quit that lazy way of living The Romans also hoping that might be of consequence to their Allies â—â—â—l of â—t the 〈◊〉 Praeâ—â—ra whom they were now forc'd to leave built a strong wall of stone from sea to sea directly along by those cities which had been settl'd there for fear of the enemy where also Severus had formerly made his wall I will also set down here Gildas's words from whom Bede had this The Romans at the publick and private expence joyning to themselves the assistance of the miserable inhabitants rais'd a wall not like that other from sea to sea according to their usual manner of building along by the cities that had been contriv'd here and there for fear of the enemy But to return to Bede Which wall so much talk'd of and visible at this day built at the publick and private expence by the joynt labour of the Romans and Britains was eight foot broad and twelve high running in a direct line from east to west as is plain at this day to any that shall trace it From which words of Bede 't is plain that a certain learned man instead of hitting the mark put out his own Eyes when he affirm'd with so much zeal and eagerness against Boëtius and the other Scotch writers that Severus's wall was in Scotland Does not Bede after he has done with that Vallum at Abercuruing in Scotland expresly tell us of a wall of stone built in the place of Severus's turf wall and where pray should this stone-wall be but between Tinmouth and Solway frith and was not Severus's Vallum there too The remains of a wall are all along so very visible that one may follow the track and in the ‖ In Vastis Wastes I my self have seen
luxus non Infula tantum Ornavit diri quae tibi causa mali Glottiadae quantum decorant Te Glascua Musae Quae celsum attollunt clara sub astra caput Glotta decus rerum piscosis nobilis undis Finitimi recreat jugera laeta soli Ast Glottae decus vicinis gloria terris Glascua faecundat flumine cuncta suo Not haughty Prelates e'er adorn'd thee so Nor stately Mitres cause of all thy woe As Cluyd's muses grace thy blest abodes And lift thy head among the deathless gods Cluyd great flood for plenteous fish renown'd And gentle streams that cheer the fruitful ground But happy Glascow Cluyd's chiefest pride Glory of that and all the world beside Spreads round the riches of her noble tide On this side the Cluyd upon its banks lies the Barony of Reinfraw Barons of Renfraw so called from its principal Town which may seem to be Ptolemy's Randvara Randvara on the River Cathcart upon which the antient Baron of Cathcart Barons Cathcart hath his habitation Near adjoyning for this little Province is full of Nobility lies Cruikston Cruikston antiently the seat of the Lords of Darley from whom by right of marriage it came to the Earls of Lenox whence Henry the Father of King James the 6. was call'd Lord Darley Halkead the residence of the Barons of Ros Barons of Roos descended originally of English bloud as deriving their Linage from that Robert Roos of Warke who left England and came under the Allegiance of the King of Scots Paslay Paslay formerly a famous Monastery founded by Alexander the 2d High Steward of Scotland inferior to few for its noble Church and rich furniture * See the Additions But now by the favour of K. James 6. it gives a seat and the title of Baron to Claud Hamilton a younger son of the Duke of Castle-Heralt And Sempill whose Lord is Baron Sempill Barons Sempil and by antient right Sheriff of this Barony But I have read that the title of Baron of Reinfraw by a peculiar right belongs to the Prince of Scotland b LENNOX ALong the other side of the Cluyd above Glascow Levinia or Lennox runs a long way Northward amongst a continued series of hills taking its name from the River Levin Ptolemy's Lelanonius â—â—â—â—noniâ—â— which falleth into the Cluyde out of Logh-lomund â—â—gh â—â—â—â—nd a Lake that dilates it self under the mountains twenty miles long and eight miles broad excellently well stocked with fish especially one sort peculiar to it â—â—e fish they call it Pollac It hath likewise many Islands in it concerning which there use to be many Traditional stories amongst the ordinary sort of people As for the Floating-Island here I shall not call the truth of it in question for what should hinder a body from swimming that 's dry and hollow like a pinace and lighter than ordinary â—â—â—i 〈◊〉 20. Pliny tells us that certain green Islands cover'd with reeds and rushes float up and down in the lake of Vadimon But I leave it to the Neighbours that know the nature of this place to be Judges whether this old Distick of our Nechâ—m be true or no Ditatur fluviis Albania saxea ligna Dat Lomund multa frigiditate potens Scotland's enrich'd with Rivers Timber thrown Into cold Lomund's waters turns to stone There are many Fishermens Cottages round about upon the banks of the Logh but nothing worth our notice except Kilmoronock â—â—â—â—oroâ—â—â—k a fine House of the Earl of Cassil seated upon the East side which hath a delicate prospect into the Logh But at the influx of the Levin out of the Logh into the Cluyde stands Al-Cluyd â—â—cluid so called by the antients Bede observes that it signifies the Rock Cluyde but I know not in what language Ar-Cluid in the British certainly signifies upon Cluid and Cluid in old English signify'd a Rock Succeeding ages call'd it Dunbritton â—â—â—britâ—â—â— that is the Britains Town and corruptly by a transposition of letters â—â—â—â—noâ—â—m Dunbarton because the Britains held it a long time against the Scots Picts and Saxons For both by nature and situation it is the strongest Castle in all Scotland fixt upon a craggy two-headed Rock at the confluence of the Rivers in a green plain Upon one of its heads stands a high Watch-Tower on the other which is somewhat lower many strong Towers It hath but one ascent to it and that on the North-side between the two heads having scarce room enough to pass one by one by steps cut out of the rock crosswise with a world of labour Upon the West-side the Levin upon the South the Cluyde serve instead of ditches Eastward lies a Morass which every Tide is wholly under water Towards the North it is very well secur'd by the steepness of its situation Here some remains of the Britains who as Gildas writes generally retreated for shelter and entrench'd themselves upon the tops of craggy inaccessible mountains in thick Forrests and Rocks upon the Sea shore presuming upon the natural strength of the place and their own Courage defended themselves after the departure of the Romans for 300 years in the very midst of their Enemies For in Bede's time as he himself writes it was the best fortify'd City the Britains had R. Hoveden But in the year 756. Eadbert King of Northumberland and Oeng King of the Picts with their joynt Forces shut it up on every side and drove it to that extremity that it was surrender'd upon Articles Of this place the Territory round about is called the Sheriffdom of Dunbarton and hath long had the Earls of Lennox for Sheriffs by inheritance Now as for the Earls of Lennox The Earls of Lennox not to mention those more antient one Duncan was Earl of Lennox in the Reign of Robert the 2. who died and left two only Daughters behind him One of which was marry'd to Alan Stewart Stewart who was descended from Robert a younger son of Walter the 2. High Steward of Scotland and a Brother of Alexander Stewart the 2. founder of the royal line of Scotland For this illustrious Family took its name from that Honourable Office of High Steward of the Kingdom that is he that had the charge of the Revenues of the Crown This Alan had issue John Earl of Lennox and Robert made Captain of the Scotch Guard du Corps Scotâ—h Guard du Corps in France first rais'd by the French King Charles the 6. in recompence of the good services that nation had done the Crown of France as also Lord of Aubigny in Auvergne by the same King as a reward of his valour John had issue Matthew Earl of Lennox who marry'd the daughter of James Hamilton by Mariona daughter to King James the 2. by whom he had John Earl of Lennox who taking up arms to deliver King James the 5. out of the hands of the Douglasses and Hamiltons was kill'd by
his Uncle the Earl of Arran This John had issue Matthew Earl of Lennox who after many troubles in France and Scotland found fortune more agreeable in England by the favour of K. Henry the 8. when he bestow'd upon him his sister's daughter in marriage with a large estate The issue of this happy match were Henry and Charles Henry by Mary Queen of Scots had James the 6. King of Great Britain James K. of Great Britain born by the propitious favour of heaven at a most lucky juncture to unite in one Imperial Body the British World divided before as well in it self as from the rest of mankind and as we hope and pray to lay a sure foundation of everlasting security for childrens children for ever As for Charles he had issue one only daughter Arabella a Lady that made so great progress in learning above the usual capacity of her sex as led her to true virtue with the highest praise and commendation and made her fit to be compar'd with the Ladies of antient times When Charles was dead after the Earldom of Lennox whereof he stood enfeoffed was by authority of Parliament revoked in the year 579. and his Uncle Robert Bishop of Cathness had bore this title for some time in lieu whereof he had of the King the honour of Earl of March King James conferr'd the title of Duke of Lennox upon Esme Stuart son of John Lord D'Aubigny the second Brother of Matthew Earl of Lennox aforesaid which his son 2 Lodowick Esme Hol. Lodowick or Lewis enjoys at this day For since the reign of Charles the 6. there were of this line Lords of Aubigny Lords of Aubigny in France the said Robert before-named and Bernard or Eberard under Charles the 8. and Lewis the 12. transmitted to posterity by Paulus Jovius with much commendation for his valiant performances in the War of Naples He was a most faithful companion of Henry the 7. when he came for England and used for his Device a Lion * Inter fâ—bulas between buckles with this motto Distantia Jungit because by his means the Kingdom of France and Scotland so far distant Paradinâ—â— were joyned together by a strict league of Friendship As likewise Robert Stewart Lord D'Aubigny of the same family a Marescal of France under Lewis XI who for the same reason us'd the Royal Arms of France with Buckles Or in a Bordure Gules which have been ever since born 3 Quarterly with the Arms of Steward Hol. by the Earls and Dukes of Lennox c STERLING Sheriffdom STerlingshire borders to the North-east upon Lennox so named from its principal Town for the fruitfulness of its soil and the great resort of Gentry outdone by no County in Scotland Here is that narrow neck of Land by which Glotta and Bodotria or to use the language of these times Dunbritton Frith and Edenborough Frith Arms of different seas coming a great way up are kept from joyning Which Julius Agricola who went thus far and farther first observ'd and fortified this streight with Garisons by which means all Britain on this side was then in the Romans possession and their Enemies removed as it were into another Island so that Tacitus was right in his judgment that there was no other bound of Britain to be sought for Neither indeed in after times did either the Valour of their Armies or the Glory of the Roman name which could scarce be stopped push on the limits of their Empire farther in these parts although they harrassed them ever now and then with inrodes But then after this glorious expedition Agricola was recall'd and Britain as Tacitus says lay neglected nor was possession of it kept thus far For the Caledonian Britains drove the Romans back as far as the River Tine insomuch that Hadrian that came into Britain about 40 years after and reformed many things in it made no farther progress but commanded that the God Terminus The God Terminus who was wont to give ground to none should yield to Hadrian and retire backwards out of this place as he had done in the East on this side Euphrates Whence that of St. Augustine The God Terminus Aug. de Civ Dei l. 4. c. 29. which gave not place to Jove yielded to the will of Hadrian yielded to the rashness of Julian yielded to the necessity of Jovian So that Hadrian thought it enough to make a Turf-Wall between the rivers Tine and Esk and 100 miles southward on this side Edenborough-Frith But Antoninus Pius who being adopted by Hadrian bore his name stiled Titus Aelius Hadrianus Antoninus Pius under the conduct of Lollius Urbicus whom he had sent his Lieutenant repelled again the Barbarians to beyond Edenborough Frith and built another Turf-Wall besides that of Hadrian according to Capitolinus To prove which wall to have been made in this very place we are now treating of and not by Severus as commonly believed I will produce no other Witnesses than two antient Inscriptions dug up here one of which is fixed in the wall of a house at Cadir Antoninus Pius's wall and informs us that the Legio Secunda Augusta built the wall for three miles and more the other is in the Earl Marshal's House at Dunotyr which hints that a party of the Legio Vicesima Victrix made it for three miles more But take them here as Servatius Rihelius a Silesian Gentleman who made curious observations upon these Countries copied them out for me IMP. CAESARI T. AELIO HADRI ANO ANTONINO AVG. PIO P. P. VEXILLATIO LEG XX. VAL. VIC F. PER MIL. P. III. IMP CAES. TIT. IO AELIO HADRIANO ANTON AVG. PIO P. P. LEG II. AVG. PER. M. P. III. D. CIXVIS At Cadir where this latter Inscription is extant there is another stone to be seen wherein within a Laurel Garland supported by two little Victories one reads thus LEG II. AVG. FEC And in a Village called Miniabruch this inscription was removed out of a Minister's house into a Gentleman's then in building D. M. C. JVLI MARCELLINI PRAEF COH I. HAMIOR Cohors ma Haorum But when in the Reign of Commodus the barbarous nations had pass'd over the wall and had much harrass'd the country Severus as I have already said repaired the Wall of Hadrian But afterwards the Romans again brought under their subjection all the country lying between For as Ninius has told us Carausius under Dioclesian strengthned this wall anew and fortified it with seven castles Lastly the Romans fenc'd this place in the Reign of Theodosius the younger under the conduct of Gallio of Ravenna Now saith Bede they made a Turf-wall to no purpose building it not so much with stones as with turfs as having no artificer that understood so great a work between two Friths or arms of the sea for many miles together that where the fence of water was wanting there by the help of a wall they might defend their Marches from the enemies
probable that this is the Alauna of Ptolemy 3. The third garison for the out-guard of this and for securing the tract where the river is but narrow was plac'd about eight miles to the North-east from the second * See Camden after The British Islands and is more fully described in the Account of Thule written by Sir Robert Sibbalds It bids fairest for Ptolemy's Victoria which name it might possibly get from the Victory obtained near it by Agricola over the Caledonians Roman Medals have been found at it and not far from it there runs a Roman military way 4. The fourth seems to be that which Bede calls Guidi and which he placeth about the middle of the wall call'd at present Kirkintilloch as antiently Kaerpentalloch and situate upon the tract of the wall Here are still to be seen the ruines of great fortifications and near it several Inscriptions have been found some whereof are now kept at the house of Cadir 'T is most probable that this is the Coria mentioned by Ptolemy 5. The fifth was where the town of Paisly now is which one would imagine from the situation to be the Bremenium of Ptolemy 6. The sixth was the most remote to the West call'd at this day Dumbarton conveniently situate in a point where the water of Leven runneth into Clyde But if this convenience were not testimony enough the Inscriptions that are found in the neighbourhood would put it beyond all dispute The placing of these garisons was probably the occasion of building the wall afterwards along this tract But in building they took the directest line which must be the cause why some of the garisons are at a distance from it It seems also to have been built at different times and by different men as the situation of the ground required for repelling of the enemy and covering the Provincials against their Invasions Bede tells us That they made it between the two Friths of the Sea that where the water did not secure them there the wall might defend them against the Incursions of the Enemy From which one may probably infer that first they began it where the river of Forth is narrow and so carried it along the neck of land betwixt the Firth of Clyde and Forth But afterwards they found it convenient that it should be carried farther East The Penvahel or Penueltuin where Bede says it begun is call'd Walltoun at this day where there is an artificial mount dyk'd about The manner of the wall will be more easily apprehended by this Draught of it taken from the Papers of Mr. Timothy Pont who had exactly traced it and the observations of some others who after him had taken the pains to describe it A A A. A ditch of twelve foot wide before the Wall towards the Enemies Country B B. A wall of squared and cut stone two foot broad probably higher than the wall to cover the Defendants and to keep the Earth of the wall from falling into the Ditch C C. The Wall it self of ten foot thickness but how high not known D D. A paved way close at the foot of the wall five foot broad E E. Watch-towers within a call one of another where Centinels kept watch day and night F F. The wall of square stone going through the breadth of the Wall just against the Towers G G. A Court of guard to lodge a sufficient number of soldiers against all sudden Alarms I I. The body of the Rampire with an outer-wall of cut stone higher than the Rampire to cover Soldiers K. The Void within for the Soldiers Lodgings Besides these there were along the Wall great and Royal Forts strongly entrench'd tho' within the wall able to receive a whole Army together For the wall being long and they not knowing where the Enemy would make their attacks it was necessary that lodgings should be provided against all occasions In the fixing whereof 't is observable that they did not so much look upon high grounds as places that were well-watered but where these two concurr'd they were sure to have a Fort there The Forts which remain'd in Mr. Timothy Pont's time who trac'd them all were these One at Langtown a mile east of Falkirk one just at the Rouintree-burnhead one at Wester-Cowdon above Helen's Chapel one at the Croy-hill a very great one upon the top of the Bar-hill which hath had large Entrenchings a fresh-spring and a Well within it one at Achindevy one at Kirkintilloch or Kaerpentalloch one at East-Calder one at Hiltoun of Calder one at Balmudy one at Simerstone and over Kilvin river and Carestoun one at Atermynie one at Balcastle over against Barhill one at Kaellybe over against Cry-hill one at the Roch-hill over against the Westerwood a large one at Bankyir over against Castle Cary one at Dumbass c. In the ruins of that at Bankyir there was found a large Iron-shovel or some instrument resembling it so weighty that it could hardly be lifted by any man of this age At the same fort also were discovered several sepulchres covered with large rough stones and at Dun-chroc-chyr by Mony-abroch there have been large buildings The length of the wall is 36 Scotch miles Beginning between the Queens-ferry and Abercorn it goes along west by the Grange and Kineil to Innereving So on to Falkirk two miles west of which are the tracks of Camelon from whence it goeth directly to the forest of Cumernald where hath been a great fort call'd Castle-Cary Next it runs to the great Fort at the Bamhill where have been found several stones some with pictures graven upon them and some with Inscriptions From thence it goeth to the Peel of Kirkintillo the greatest Fort of all and so Westward to Dumbarton with a great ditch upon the North side of the wall all along It had also along it many square Fortifications in form of Roman Camps As to the Inscriptions our learned Author hath given an account of some of them amongst those omitted by him one is said to have upon it these words COHORTIS HISPANORUM TIBICEN HIC JACET Others have been likewise found in these parts pointing out some of the Forces that quartered here But of these we shall hare occasion to speak at the end of Sir Robert Sibbald's Description of Thule THE KINGDOM of IRELAND by Rob t Morden IRELAND AND The British Islands The BRITISH OCEAN I Have at last survey'd or rather glanc'd over the whole Island of Britain namely those two flourishing Kingdoms England and Scotland Since I must necessarily cross the Sea The Briâ—â—sh Sea before I can come at Ireland or the other Islands I hope it will be no great digression if I premise somewhat concerning it That vast and wide Ocean that surrounds Britain on all sides but the South ebbs and flows with so strong a tide that Pithoeus Massiliensis reports it to swell at least 80 cubits higher than the land St. Basil calls it the great Sea Lib. Hexaâ—â—r c. 3.
in good order protected the weak but still continued insolent and cruel to the Nobility insomuch that they petitioned the Lord Deputy for protection and relief whereupon he grew more outragious dispossest Mac-Guir Lord of Fermanagh with fire and sword who had under hand accus'd him burnt the Metropolitan Church of Armagh and besieged Dundalk but this proved ineffectual partly by the valour of the Garison and partly by the apprehension of being suppressed by William Sarfield the Mayor of Dublin who was on his march towards him with the flower of his Citizens However he made cruel ravages in the adjacent Country To put a stop to these bold and outragious proceedings 6 Sir Henry Sidney the Lord Deputy set out himself and was advancing at the head of an Army against him but wisely detach'd seven companies of foot and a â—ry Sidâ—â—â— Lord â—oxy 〈…〉 troop of horse beforehand under the conduct of Edward Randolph a famous old soldier by sea into the North parts of Ireland where they encamped themselves at Derry upon Loghfoil to be upon the rear of the enemy Shan fearing this immediately marched thither and with all his force endeavoured to remove them upon this attack Randolph issued out upon him and though he valiantly lost his own life in the engagement yet he gave the enemy such a defeat that from that time forward they were never able to keep the field so that Shan finding himself weaken'd by slight skirmishes and deserted by his soldiers was once resolved to go and throw himself with a halter about his neck at the mercy of the Lord Deputy But his Secretary perswading him rather to rely upon the friendship of the Scots who under the conduct of Alexander Oge i.e. the younger were now encampt in Claneboy he sent Surley boy Alexander's brother whom he had detained prisoner a long time to prepare the way and soon after followed him with the wife of O-Donnell his adultress The Scots received him kindly and with some few of his adherents he was admitted into a tent where after some cups they began to resent the fate of James Mac-Conell the brother of Alexander whom Shan had killed and the dishonour done to James's sister whom Shan had married and put away whereupon Alexander Oge and his brother Mac-Gillaspic took fire and giving the signal for revenge all fell upon Shan with their drawn swords and hewed him to death by which peace was restored to that Province in the year 1567. A little after this a Parliament was called at Dublin wherein an Act passed for the Attainder of Shan and annexing most of the Counties and Seigniories of Ulster to the person of the Queen and her Successors and for prohibiting any one ftom taking the stile and title of O-Neal hereafter Notwithstanding this was soon after assumed by Turlogh Leinigh Brother's son to this Con More O-Neal already spoken of who was now towards the decline of his age and therefore of a more calm temper but the rather because he lay under some apprehensions from Shan's sons and Hugh Baron of Dunganon his son though he had marryed his daughter to him whom soon after he put away and married another This Turlogh being very obsequious and dutiful to the Queen of England gave no disturbance to the English but prov'd a very troublesome neighbour to O-Donell and the Island Scots and in a skirmish cut off Alexander Oge who had killed Shan O-Neal Hugh the son of Matthew called Baron of Dunganon who lived sometimes obscurely in his own country and sometimes in England in the service of some of our Nobility began to rise from this mean condition to some degree of eminence The Queen made him Captain of a troop of horse in the war against the Earl of Desmond and allowed him an yearly pension of a thousand marks whereupon he behaved himself gallantly against the rebels in all encounters and at length exhibited a Bill in Parliament That by vertue of a Grant made to his Grandfather an Act might be pass'd for his restitution to the title and dignity of Earl of Ter-Oen and to the estate of his Ancestors As for the title and dignity of Earl of Ter-Oen it was granted without any difficulty but the estate of his Ancestors being annext to the Crown by the Attainder of Shan O-Neal it was wholly referred to the Queen who graciously gave it him in consideration of his services already done her and those she still expected hereafter Yet first she provided that the Province should be surveyed and laid out into proper districts one or two places reserv'd in her own hands for garisons particularly the Fort at Black-water that provision should be made for the maintenance of the sons of Shan and Turlogh and that he should pretend to no authority over any Seigniories beyond the County of Ter-Oen though they bordered upon it Having willingly received it with all these conditions he return'd his thanks to her Majesty with great expressions both of the reality of this address and of his sincere resolution to serve her with the utmost of his diligence authority and affection for these favours and indeed it may be said of him that he performed his promise and that the Queen could expect no more from the most faithful subject she had than he did His body was able to endure the miseries either of labour watching or want his industry was very great his mind excellent and capable of the greatest employments he had a great knowledge in the affairs of war and was so profound and unfathomable a dissembler that some foretold at that time He would either prove the greatest good or the greatest hurt to Ireland He gave such testimonies of his valour and loyalty that the Queen her self interceeded with Turlogh Leinigh for his Seigniory and got him to surrender it upon conditions After Leinigh's death he usurped the title of O-Neal notwithstanding it was made capital by Act of Parliament excusing it as done purely to anticipate others that would perhaps assume it and promising to relinquish it but begg'd earnestly that no oath might be press'd upon him for performance About this time the Spanish Armado which had in vain attempted to invade England was dispersed and routed many of them in their return were shipwreckt in the Irish Sea and great numbers of the Spaniards thrown upon the coast of Ireland the Earl of Ter-Owen was faid to have kindly received some of them and to have treated with them about making a private league between him and the King of Spain Upon this account he was accused before the Queen and no slight evidence brought against him by Hugh Ne-Gaveloc i.e. in Fetters the natural son of Shan so called from his being kept in fetters for a long time which so enraged the Earl that afterward he had him apprehended and commanded him to be strangled but had much ado to find an Executioner the people had so much veneration for the blood of the O-Neals
Queen Elizabeth had such great hopes of the Earl that out of her Royal clemency upon his penitence and suit for mercy she pardoned him this barbarous and inhuman fratricide notwithstanding the dissuasion of some good men about her There was also somewhat else gall'd him at this time the Lord Deputy had extinguished the name of the Mac-Mahons in the next County and to suppress the power of that great family had subdivided the County among several whereupon the Earl was apprehensive he would go on and serve him and the other Lords of Ulster after the same manner The dissentions between the Earl and 6 Sir Henry Henry Bagnall Marshal of Ireland broke out likewise at this time for the Earl had marry'd Bagnall's Sister by force The Earl complained that whatever he had reduced in Ulster to the subjection of the Queen at the expence of his own blood and labour was no ways advantageous to him but to the Marshal that the Marshal by subornation of profligate vile fellows to witness against him had impeach'd him of high treason that by his instigation he had made 7 Sir William William Fitz-williams the Lord Deputy his bitter enemy and that he had lain in ambush for his life This is certain that all the Lord Deputy had writ upon that subject was believed in the Court of England till such time as the Earl to clear himself writ into England that he would either stand to a fair trial there or here in Ireland upon that point And it is also plain that he and the other Lords of Ulster enter'd into a secret combination and league about this time that they would defend the Roman catholick religion for rebellion is never set afoot now but under the pretence and colour of religious ends that they would suffer no Sheriffs nor Garisons to be within the compass of their territories that they would stand to one another in maintaining their rights and resist the English in any injury they should offer them The first that stood out to give the allarm hereupon was Mac-Gwire a man of a turbulent spirit who ravaged the country about him and enter'd Conaght accompanied with one Gauran a Priest whom the Pope had made Primate of Ireland who exhorted him to depend upon God and try his fortune and success would answer his expectation Yet it happen'd quite otherwise for Mac-Gwire was routed by the valour of 8 Sir Richard Richard Bingham and the Primate himself was cut off with many others Soon after Mac-Guire broke out into open Rebellion and was pursued by the Marshal and the Earl himself under pretence of loyalty who received a wound in the thigh and great applause for his valour Yet at the same time he was so wholly intent upon his own safety that he intercepted the sons of Shan O-Neal to prevent the mischief they might after do him and though the restitution of them was demanded yet he answer'd nothing to that purpose but made heavy complaints of the injuries done him by the Lord Deputy the Marshal and the Garison Soldiers which notwithstanding he dissembled so well that he came afterwards to the Lord Deputy as if he had forget them submitted himself and promising loyalty and an intire obedience return'd again 9 Sir William William Fitz-Williams being recalled out of Ireland 10 Sir William William Russel was made Lord Deputy in his place The Earl voluntarily went to him 11 Exhibited an humble submission upon his knees to the Lord Deputy wherein he dolefully expressed his great grief that the Queen had conceived indignation against him as of one undutiful and disloyal He acknowledged that the late absenting himself from the state was disagreeable to his obedience albeit it was occasioned by some hard measures of the late Lord Deputy as though he and the Marshal had combined for his destruction He acknowledged that the Queen advanced him to high title and great livings that she ever upheld him and enabled him that she who by grace had advanced him was able by her force to subvert him and therefore if he were void of gratitude yet he could not be so void of reason as to word his own ruine promising a perfect obedience to his Lordships commands in every thing and sent his letters to some of the Queen's Council to the same effect entreating earnestly that he might be received again into the Queen's favour which he had lost by no demerit or disloyalty but purely by the false suggestions of his adversaries Bagnal the Martial at the same time exhibited articles of accusation against him that the Earl himself had sent Mac-Gwire with the Primate above named into Conaght that he was in the combination of Mac-Gwire O-Donell and other Conspirators had assisted them in wasting Monaghan and in the siege of Inis-Kellin by his brother Cormac Mac-Baron and his bastard son Con and had seduced the Captains of Kilulto and Kilwarny from their allegiance to the Queen by the terrour of his threatnings Upon this it was warmly debated by the Council whither or not the Earl should be detained to answer this Information The Lord Deputy was for detaining him but 12 But when it was put to question generally most of his Council either out of fear or favour to the Earl were for dismissing him at present and deferring the tryal to another opportunity 13 Pretending certain weighty considerations and that the Articles exhibited were without proof or time whereupon the Lord Deputy in respect to the majority and the small experience he had in the affairs of that state in comparison with them desisted though much against his own inclination and the Earl was dismissed without so much as hearing his accusers The Queen was much concerned at this oversight for his dangerous designs and actions began to appear plain enough to every body by this time and the more because she had cautioned the Lord Deputy to detain the Earl in such case till he answer'd the crimes that were charged upon him As soon as the Earl had got home again and heard of a reinforcement now coming from England and that 1300 veterans who had served under the command of 14 Sir John John Norris in Bretagne were now also transporting thither from Holland as also that the English had some design upon Ballishannon and Belyk two castles upon the mouth of the lough Ern his own conscience flash'd him in the face with light enough to discern which way these proceedings tended so he surprized the Fort upon Black-water which opened a passage into his County of Ter-Oen and forced it to surrender His resolutions however were so various and wavering about the same time that he writ to the Earl of Kildare to offer his assistance against the injuries of the Lord Deputy to the Earl of Ormond and 15 Sir Henry Henry Wallop Treasurer of the Kingdom assuring them of his intention to continue loyal and to 16 Sir
to the enemy they marched on as far as Armagh whereby the Earl was obliged to leave the fort of Blackwater burn all the villages round about the town of Dungannon nay demolish great part of his own house there and reflect upon his own misery and how he could abscond But our Army could proceed no farther for want of Provision and so returned after they had proclaimed the Earl Traitor in his own territories and put a Garison into the Church of Armagh The Earl took care to watch them diligently in their return yet notwithstanding they reinforced the Garison at Monaghan When they had marched near as far as Dundalk the Lord Deputy according to the Queen's orders left the war to the conduct of Norris and after they had took their leave with great compliments on both sides returned to Dublin where he took great care of the Counties of Leinster Conaght and Munster Norris remained in Ulster but whether out of envy to the Lord Deputy or that fortune had now left him as it often does great men or whether out of favour to the Earl to whom he was certainly as kind as the Lord Deputy was averse he atchieved nothing answerable to the greatness of his Character For Norris had under hand accused the Lord Deputy that out of ill will to the Earl he had resolved to make no peace with him for the Deputy would not be perswaded but that the Earl's design was only to gain time till his recruits from Spain might arrive whereas Norris was more easie and credulous and thought it no hard matter to induce the Earl to a peace wh ch opinion the Earl cherished so cunningly in him that he offer'd him his submission under his hand and seal and fell upon his knees before him for his mercy and pardon Yet at the same time he was plying the K. of Spain both by his letters and agents for his assistance so that one or two messengers arrived from Spain to the Rebels who concluded with them that if the King of Spain their master would send them such an Army as could cope with the English by such a set time they would joyn it and that in case he supplied them with ammunition in the mean time they would not treat with the English upon any terms whatsoever This treaty was subscâ—ibed by O-Rorck Mac-William and others but the Earl was so cautious he would not sign it though it is not doubted but he gave his consent However to disguise his designs he sent the Lord Deputy the King of Spain's answer to the Rebels hereupon which was full of great promises of what he would do for them as if he detested it yet relying upon the hopes of those Spanish recruits therein promised he recanted the submission he had made to Norris but a little before and broke loose from the promise he had given him Norris finding himself deluded thus by his credulity fell upon him with an angry and sharp expostulation for putting shams upon him after this manner But the Earl knowing still how to temporize for his advantage enter'd into another Parley with Norris and Fenton his Secretary and having given Hostages concluded another Peace or rather a bargain which soon after he broke with the same levity pretending he could not but think he was deceitfully dealt with because the Lord Deputy and the General varied with one another in their proceedings that the Lord Deputy had treated those he had sent to him about the peace with contempt and scorn that the Lord Deputy was wholly for the war had recruited his horse from England and detained the King of Spain's letters aforesaid and that the Marshal his bitter enemy was now returned with a new commission from England Upon this he began immediately to waste the adjacent country to burn the villages and drive away the cattle he could meet with but being touched with the sense of this wickedness and hearing that a peace was concluding between England and Spain he sent again to desire a parley and that terms of peace might be allowed him 'T is impossible to lay open all the folds and windings of his dissimulation But in short when ever he found himself in danger he acted a sincere submission and penitence so well both in his carriage countenance and address that he deluded them till they lost their opportunity and were obliged to withdraw their forces Again such was the slothfulness of the Commanders in Ireland the frugality of the Council in England and the innate clemency of the Queen who was loath these flames in Ireland for it could not be called a war should be quenched with blood that he was always believed and hopes of a pardon were given him to soften his obstinacy In the year 1597. by which time all Ulster beyond Dundalk except the seven Garison Towns viz. Newry Knoc-Fergus Carlingford Green castle Armagh Dondrom and Olderfleet as also all Conaght in a manner had revolted from the Queen Thomas Lord Burough Baron Burough Lord Deputy a person of compleat courage and conduct was sent Lord Deputy into Ireland The Earl by letters desired a cessation of arms and his Lordship thought it his interest to allow it for one month The month being expired the Lord Deputy drew his forces together and what was both for his advantage and honour at his entry upon this office he marched them in Battalia against the Earl and though the Earl gave him an ill welcome in a narrow passage 28 Within the space of the Moiry yet he made his way through by his valour and took the Fort at Blackwater which had been repaired by the Rebels open'd a passage into the County of Tir-Oen and was the only fence the Rebels had besides their woods and marshes to secure them This one action sufficiently shewed that if the war was well followed it could not continue long The very day that the Fort was taken as the Lord Deputy and his Army were giving God thanks for their success an allarm was given on the sudden that the enemy appeared upon the hills hard by so Henry Earl of Kildare with a troop of horse and some volunteers of the Nobility were detach'd against them who accordingly fell upon the enemy and put them to flight Yet we lost in this skirmish Francis Vaughan brother to the Lord Deputy's Lady R. Turner Serjeant Major an experienced Soldier and two foster brothers of the Earl of Kildare which so much troubled him that he died of grief some few days after for there 's no love so strong in any degree of relation as that between foster brothers in Ireland There were also many more of the English wounded among the rest 29 Sir Thomas Thomas Waller particularly eminent for his great valour As soon as the Lord Deputy had strengthen'd the Fort with new works and drawn off his Army the Rebels who began now to fluctuate between hope fear and shame resolved to lay siege
to it The Earl was sensible it lay convenient to annoy him and that his fame and fortune would dwindle into nothing unless he recover'd it Accordingly he invested the Fort with a strong army The Lord Deputy upon the news of this marched towards him without intermission and thus in his full speed to victory sickness and death arrested him to the grief of good men and the joy and safety of the Rebels For it was the opinion of some Sages that if he had lived he would have reduced the enemy to despair and the state had never been plung'd into such danger As soon as the Lord Deputy's death was known to the enemy they attacked the Fort with great clamor and violence but were ever repelled with greater loss those that scal'd the walls were pushed back headlong by the garison and many of them trod to pieces so that despairing of ever taking it by force they resolved to starve them being persuaded their provisions could not last above some few days and the garison upon the pinches of famine would stagger in their loyalty and turn traitors However the Fort was gallantly defended by the valour of Thomas Williams the Governor and his garison who lived upon herbs growing upon the rocks after they had eat their horses and held it in spight of famine the assaults of the enemies or any other extremity whatsoever By this time the Government was committed by the Queen to the Earl of Ormond under the title of Lieutenant General of the army together with the Chancellor and 30 Sir Robert Robert Gardiner the Earl presently gave the Lieutenant General a long account of the grievances aforementioned without omitting the outrage of any soldier or the insolence of any Sheriff coldly excusing his breach of covenant with 31 Sir John Norris but the great burden of the song was that Feogh-Mac-Hugh one of his relations had been took executed and lastly that his letters to the Queen had been intercepted and concealed and that the imposts and taxes were grown intolerable both to nobility and people adding He saw now very well that all the possesons in the hands of the nobility and gentry of Ireland would be shortly parcelled out among the Counsellors the Lawyers the Soldiers and the Attorneys At the same time he sent supplies to the sons of Feogh Mac-Hugh that they might be able to embroil the Province of Leinster So that now every body saw plainly that the Earl's design was from the very beginning to extirpate the English in Ireland notwithstanding his pretences to disguise it The Earl without intermission continued all this while in carrying on the siege at Black-water the Lieutenant General therefore for the Lord Deputy was not as yet appointed had detach'd fourteen choice * Vexâ—llationes troops under the conduct of Henry Bagnall 32 Sir Henry the Marshal a bitter enemy of the Earls to relieve it the Earl spurred on with revenge and envy fell upon him with great fury near Armach 33 As he marched with divers troops the Marshal himself against whom he principally aimed was soon cut off in the very throng of his enemies whereby the Earl had the satisfaction of triumphing over his particular adversary and of gaining a considerable victory over the English For this was the greatest defeat they had ever had in Ireland no less than thirteen brave Captains and fifteen hundred common soldiers cut off either in the engagement or after they weere broken and dispersed Those that escaped imputed this loss to no cowardise in the soldiers but to the ill conduct of the General as 't is common at this day The Fort of Black-water surrendered presently hereupon for having held out already with great loyalty and valor against the very shocks of famine they saw there was now no relief to be expected This was indeed a famous victory and of great importance to the rebels having both arms and provisions by it The Earl being cry'd up throughout the Country as the glorious restorer of their liberty grew intolerably proud and insolent and sent Ouny Mac-Rory-Og-O-More and one Tirel of English original but now an implacable enemy with four thousand Rapparies into Munster 34 Sir Thomas Thomas Norris President of the Province went against them and advanced with a good body as far as Kilmalock but dispersed his forces without facing the enemy and retired to Cork The Rebels who had been joyned by many rakes and profligates that flocked from all parts to them as soon as they understood this fell to wast the Country drive booty and plunder and burn all castles houses or possessions of the English and put the men themselves to some cruel death where-ever they could find them They made James Fitz-Thomas one of the family of the Earls of Desmon Earl of Desmond yet so that he should hold it of O-Neal or the Earl of Ter-Oen having thus embroiled Munster for a month they marched home with their booty The Earl forthwith now sent his letters into Spain with a long account of these victories desiring not to credit the English in case they pretend he had requested a Peace with them that he had been obstinate in refusing any terms though never so reasonable and that he was resolved to persevere in his faith and loyalty to the King of Spain Notwithstanding he pretended to intercede both by letters and messengers with the Earl of Ormond at this very instant for leave to submit upon such and such unreasonable terms This was the miserable state of Ireland when Queen Elizabeth made Robert Earl of Essex Robert Earl oâ— Essex Lâ— Deputy 159â— eminent for his taking Cades from the Spaniards and for his great prudence as well as valor and loyalty Lord Deputy of Ireland to repair the losses it had formerly received with commission to make an end of this war and which he had wrested by his importunity a power to pardon all crimes even those of high treason for this used to be excepted in all the Patents of the former Lord Deputies in these express words all treasons touching our own person or the persons of our heirs and successors excepted And without doubt it was great wisdom to obtain this authority considering that the Lawyers hold all rebellions do touch the person of the Prince He was also allowed as great an army as he pleased such a one as had never been seen before in Ireland namely sixteen thousand foot and thirteen hundred horse which was made up afterwards twenty thousand compleat He had particular instructions to aim chiefly at the Earl of Tir-Oen as the heart and soul of this rebellion and level the stress and weight of this war against him without much regard to any other by planting garisons at Lough-Foil and Bala-Shannon a thing that he always reckoned of great consequence and charged as an oversight in the former Deputies Thus the Earl accompanied with the flower of the Nobility and the
acclamations of the common people nay with a clap of thunder in a clear sun-shiny day set out from London towards the end of March and after a troublesome voyage arrived in Ireland Having received the sword according to the custom he took his march upon the persuasion of some of the Council who had too much regard to their own private interests against some petty Rebels in Munster without heeding the Earl which was quite contrary to his instructions having taken Cahir a Castle of Edward Butler Baron of Cahir which was encompassed by the river Swire and possessed by the Rebels and made great booty of their cattle he made himself terrible to the whole Country so that the Rebels dispersed themselves into the woods and forests In the mean time he received no small loss by the cowardise of some soldiers under 35 Sir Henry H. Harrington for which he punished them with great severity He returned towards the end of July his army being sadly harassed with toil and sickness and incredibly diminished Finding the Queen very angry at this unfortunate expedition when she had expresly urg'd him to march directly into Ulster against the Earl he writ an excuse to her Majesty laying the fault upon her Counsel in Ireland that advised him whom he could not but comply with in respect to their experience in the state affairs of that Kingdom promising that he would now forthwith march into Ulster He had scarce delivered these letters out of his hands when he was forced to send another dispatch that now he was diverted and obliged to march into Ophaly near Dublin against the O-Conors and the O-Moils who had broke out into rebellion and whom he soon vanquished with good success in some few skirmishes Upon a review of his army after this expedition he found himself so much weakned that he writ the Queen word and got the hands of the Privy-Councellors to his letter that it was necessary to reinforce his army with a thousand soldiers before he went into Ulster Being now resolved to employ his whole power against that Province he ordered 36 Sir Coniers Coigniers Clifford Governor of Conaught to march toward Belik with a body of light horse that the Earls forces might be distracted when he should attack him on the other side Clifford set out accordingly with 1500. men and notwithstanding the toil of a long march and scarcity of powder would not halt till he had passed the Curlew-mountains When most of his men had passed the Rebels set upon them unawares under the conduct of O-Rork Being easily repelled ours still continued their march but the enemy perceiving the want of powder among them renewed the charge and put them quickly to flight being already sore fatigued with their journey killing Clifford himself and Sir Henry Radcliff of Ordsall Knight In the mean while the supply which the Lord Deputy had desired was raised in England and transported But within some few days after he sent the Queen word he could do nothing more this year than march to the frontiers of Ulster with 1300 foot and 300 horse where he arrived about the thirteenth of September The Earl shewed himself from the hills for two days together and at length sent Hagan to the Lord Deputy for a parley His Lordship refused it answering That if the Earl had any thing to say to him he might find him next morning at the head of his army The next morning after some light skirmishes a trooper rid out from the Earl's Army and told them in a loud voice that the Earl did not intend to engage but to parly with the Lord Lieutenant yet not now between the armies in battalia As the Lord Deputy was advancing the next day Hagan came up to him declaring that the Earl desired that the Queen's pardon and a peace might be allowed him and withall that he might have an audience of his Lordship if this favour was granted him he would be ready to receive him at the ford of the river hard by called Balla Clinch This ford is not far from Louth the head town of the County and near the Castle of Gerard Fleming The Lord Deputy sent some before hand to discover the place who found the Earl there according to the appointment he told them that the river was risen but that a man might be still very easily heard from the one side of the ford to the other Whereupon his Lordship having lodged a troop of horse upon the next hill went down to him alone The Earl riding his horse up to the belly in the ford saluted him with great respect and so after about an hour's discourse between themselves they withdrew to their respective armies Con a bastard son of the Earl's was sent to the Lord Deputy to desire another conference before a select number on both sides The Lord Deputy granted this likewise provided the number did not exceed six The Earl taking his brother Cormac Mac Gennys Mac Guir Evar Mac Cowley Henry Ovington and O-Quin returned forthwith to the same ford and the Lord Deputy came down to him accompanied with the Earl of Southampton Sir George Bourgchier Sir Warham S. Leger Sir Henry Danvers Sir Edward Wingfeld and Sir William Constable The Earl saluted them singly with great respect and after some few words it was concluded that Commissioners should be appointed the day following to treat of a peace who agreed upon a cessation from that very day from six weeks to six weeks 8. Sept. 1599. till the first of May yet so that it should be free for both sides to renew the war after fourteen days warning and that if any Confederate of the Earl's did not agree to it the Earl should leave him to be pursued at the discretion of the Lord Deputy In the mean while the letters of the Lord Deputy already mentioned were delivered to the Queen by Henry Cuff a great Scholar but an unfortunate man As soon as she perceived that her Lieutenant had done nothing at all in so long a time with so great an army and so much to her expence nor could for that year she was much offended and writ back to him and her Council there 38 That his proceeding answered neither her direction nor the world's expectation That she could not but wonder what the Lord Deputy meant by prolonging the war at this rate and missing those excellent opportunities he had had of carrying it on against the Earl himself considering that this was his constant advice in England and he had often promised her in his Letters he would take that course she asked him why he had made those impertinent expeditions into Munster and Ophaly even against his own judgment and without giving her notice before hand that so she might have countermanded them If his army was now broken and weak how comes it that he did not force the enemy when it was intire strong and compleat If the spring was not a
any expence or writing by certain judges whom they choose among themselves and call Deemsters Deemsters For the Magistrate taketh up a stone and after he has mark'd it gives it to the plaintiff by virtue whereof he summons in his witnesses and the defendant If the case is difficult and of great consequence it is referred to the hearing of twelve men whom they call the Keys of the Island Keys of the Island Annos They have also certain Coroners these they call Annos who are instead of Sheriffs and execute their office As for the Ecclesiastical Judge he hears and determines all causes within eight days from the citation and the party must either stand to his sentence or go to gaol As their language is peculiar so likewise are their laws and money as I have heard which are both signs of a distinct soveraignty The Ecclesiastical laws in force here next after the Canon law come nearest to the civil Neither the Judge nor the Clerks of the Court have any fees either for the process or instruments As for those mischievous effects of witchcraft of which English writers tell us there 's nothing in it The richer sort and those that have estates imitate the gentry of Lancashire in splendid living and integrity The women never stir abroad but with their winding sheets about them to put them in mind of mortality If a woman be tried and receives sentence of death she is sow'd up in a sack and thrown from a rock into the sea Stealing and begging from door to door is universally detested The people are wonderful religious and all of them zealously conformable to the Church of England They are likewise great enemies to the disorders as well Civil as Ecclesiastical of their neighbour Countreys And whereas the whole Isle is divided into two parts south and north the Inhabitants of this speak like the Scots and those of the other like the Irish If I should here subjoin a short history of the affairs of this Island it would be worth my while and truth it self seems to challenge it that hereby I may preserve the memory of such actions as are if not already buried in oblivion yet next door to it That this Island as well as Britain was possessed by the Britains is granted on all sides But when the northern nations broke in like a violent tempest upon these southern parts it became subject to the Scots In the time of Honorius and Arcadius Orosius says that it was as much inhabited by the Scots as Ireland was * By others Built and Ninius tells us of one Binle a certain Scot that held it Yet the same author observes that they were driven out of Britain and the Isles belonging to it by Cuneda the Grandfather of Maglocunas who from the cruel ravages he made in this Island is call'd the Dragon of the Isles by Gildas Afterwards this Island and likewise Anglesey aforesaid was subjected to the English Monarchy by Edwin King of the Northumbrians if we suppose them both to be signified by the word Menaviae as Writers would have us think At this time it was reputed a British Island At last when the north overswarming a second time sent out another Brood of Normans Danes and Norwegians to seek their fortune in the world the Norwegians who most sadly infested this sea by their piracies possessed themselves of this Island and the Hebrides and set up petty Princes over them of whom I will here add this Historical Account as it is word for word in an old Manuscript lest it should perish by some unlucky accident The title it bears is Chronicon Manniae i.e. A Chronicle of Man It seems to have been written by the Monks of Russin-Abbey the most eminent Monastery that was in this Island A CHRONICLE of the KINGS of MAN IN the year of our Lord 1065. died Edward King of England of pious memory to whom Harold son of Godwin succeeded Harold Harfager King of Norway rais'd war against him and was so beaten at a battle at Stainfordbridge that his men ran away In this flight one Godred sirnamed Crovan the son of Harold the black escaping out of Iseland came to Godred the son of Syrric King of Man at that time and was honourably entertained by him The same year William the Bastard conquered England and Godred the son of Syrric King of Man died and was succeeded by his son Fingall An. 1066. Godred Crovan got a numerous fleet together and arrived at Man where he fought with the inhabitants but was overcome and put to flight Having rallied his forces and his fleet he landed again at Man fought the inhabitants and was routed by them Having rais'd a great army the third time he came by night to the port called Ramsa and laid an ambuscade of three hundred men in a wood upon the hollow brow of a hill call'd Scacafel As soon as the sun was up the inhabitants drew themselves up in battalia and fell upon Godred with great violence When both parties were close engaged the three hundred men that lay in ambush behind came out to the assistance of their Countrymen and put the Islanders to flight When they saw themselves overcome and no place to retreat to for the tide was in so that there was no passing the river Ramsa and the enemy was at their heels pursuing them in a moanful manner they petitioned Godred to spare their lives Godred being moved with compassion at the calamitous condition of a people among whom he had himself been brought up for some time recall'd his army and hindred them from making any farther pursuit The next day Godred gave his army their choice whether they would divide the lands of the Isle among them and live there or seise upon the wealth and substance of the Country and return home with it But his army was rather for spoiling the Island and enriching themselves with the goods of it and so for departing However Godred himself with some of the Islanders that stayed with him settled in the south part of the Island and granted the north part to the remains of the natives upon condition that none of them should ever presume to claim any part of it as their inheritance Hence to this very day the whole Island is the King 's and all the rents that arise in it belong to him Godred then reduced Dublin and a great part of Laynestir As for the Scots he brought them to such subjection that if any of them built a ship or a boat they durst not drive * Plus quam tres clavos inscrere above 3 nails in it He reigned sixteen years and died in the Island call'd Yle leaving three sons Lagman Harald and Olave Lagman being eldest seised upon the Kingdom and reigned seven years His brother Harald continued a long time in rebellion against him but being at last taken he had his privy members cut off and his eyes put out Afterwards Lagman
it The same year on S. Laurence's-eve Thomas Lord Botiller marched with a great army into the Country of Ardnorwith where he fought with the Lord Thomas William Macgoghgan and was there kill'd to the great loss of Ireland and with him John Lord Ledewich Roger and Thomas Ledewich John Nangle Meiler and Simon Petitt David Nangle Sir John Waringer James Terel Nicholas White William Freynes Peter Kent and John White besides 140. whose names we know not The Tuesday before the feast of S. Bartholomew the said Lord Thomas's body was convey'd to Dublin and laid in the house of the predicant Friers unburied till the sunday after the feast of the beheading of S. John Baptist when he was very honourably carried through the City and interr'd in the Church of the predicant Friers which very day his wife gave a great entertainment The same year John Lord Darcy came a second time Justice of Ireland who at Maynoth on the third of July espoused the Lady Joan Burg Countess of Kildare Item Philip Staunton was slain and Henry Lord Traharn was treacherously taken in his own house at Kilbego by Richard son to Philip Onolan James Lord Botiller Earl of Ormond burnt Foghird in revenge to Onolan for his brother Henry's sake The same year the Wednesday after the feast of the Ascension of the blessed Virgin John Lord Darcy Justice of Ireland went towards the Country of New-castle of Mackingham and of Wikelow against the O Brynns and the Monday following some of the Lawles were killed and more wounded and Robert Locam was wounded and of the Irish the better sort were slain many wounded and the rest ran away But Murkad O Brynne with his son uncle and uncle's son yielded themselves hostages and were carried to the Castle of Dublin But were afterwards in exchange of Hostages who were of the best of their Kindred set at liberty The same year John Lord Darcy Chief Justice and the King's Council in Ireland about the feast of our Lord's Circumcision commanded Moris Lord Fitz Thomas of Desmond to march with his Army against his Majesties enemies for to subdue them And that the King would take care to defray the Charge he should be at both for himself and his Army so the Lord Fitz-Thomas accompanied by Briene O-Brene came with an Army of ten thousand Men with which he march'd against the O-nolanes and conquer'd them having got a considerable Booty and wasted their Country by fire the O-nolanes fled but afterwards deliver'd Hostages who were sent to the Castle of Dublin Hence he march'd against the O-Morches who gave Hostages with a promise of living quietly The same time the Castle of Ley which O-Dympcy had taken and kept was surrender'd to him This year after the Epiphany Donald arte Mac-Murgh made his escape out of the Castle of Dublin by a Cord which one Adam Nangle had bought him who for his pains was drawn and hang'd MCCCXXX About the feast of S. Catherine S. Nicholas and the Nativity of our Lord the winds were in several places very high so that on S. Nicholas-eve they blew down part of the wall of a certain House which in the falling kill'd Sir Miles Verdon's wife and daughter there was never yet known such winds in Ireland There was such an overflowing of the River Boyn this year as was never seen before which flung down all the Bridges upon this River both Wood and Stone except Babe-bridge The violence also of the water carried away several Mills and did very much damage to the Friers-minors of Trym and Drogheda by breaking down their Houses The same year about S. John Baptist's-day there was a great dearth of Corn in Ireland which lasted till Michaelmas A cranoc of Wheat was sold for 20 Shillings a cranoc of Oats Pease Beans and Barly for 8 Shillings This dearth was occasion'd by the great Rains so that a great deal of the standing Corn could not be cut before Michaelmas The same year about Lent the English in Meth killed some of the Irish viz. the Mac-goghiganes near Loghynerthy which did so incense Mac-goghigan that he burnt and sack'd in those Parts 15 small Villages which the English seeing gathered together in a Body against him and kill'd 110 of his men among whom were three Irish Kings sons Item The Lord William Burgh Earl of Ulster march'd with his Army out of Ulster against Briene O Brene in Munster Also the Lady Joan Countess of Kildare was at Maynoth brought to Bed of William her first Son which the Lord John Darcy had by her who was then in England Item Reymund Lawles was treacherously kill'd at Wickelow This year Frier Roger Utlaw Prior of Kylmainan then Deputy to the Lord Chief Justice of Ireland held a Parliament at Kilkenny where were present Alexander Archbishop of Dublin William Earl of Ulster James Earl of Ormond William Lord Bermingham Walter Burg of Conaught who all went with a considerable force to drive Briene O-Brene out of Urkyst near Cashill Item Walter Burg with the Forces he rais'd in Conaught plunder'd the Lord Moris Fitz-Thomas's lands and brought away with him the Booty to Urkyff Also the Earl of Ulster and the Earl of Desmond viz. the Lord Moris Fitz-Thomas for I never yet call'd him Earl by Frier Roger Utlaws order then Justice of Ireland were committed to the custody of the Marshal at Limerick But the Earl of Desmond very cunningly made his escape MCCCXXXI The Lord Hugh Lacy having got the King's Pardon came into Ireland And the Earl of Ulster came into England The 19th of April the English beat the Irish in O-Kenseley and the one and twentieth of April the Irish perfidiously took the Castle of Arclo The same day on S. Mark the Evangelist's-eve the O-Totheles came to Tanelagh and forced away from Alexander Archbishop of Dublin 300 Sheep and killed Richard White with many other Gentlemen of his Company There were divers Reports at Dublin about this Plunder and Slaughter and Sir Philip Bryt Frier Moris Fitz-Gerald Knight of the Order of the Hospitalers Hammund Lord Archdekyn John Chamberlaine Robert Tyrell and Reginald Bernewall's two Sons besides many others but especially of the Archbishop of Dublin's Retinue were kill'd by David O-Tothill in an Ambuscade in Culiagh The Lord William Bermingham march'd with a great Army against the foresaid Irish to whom he did much harm and had not the Irish made some false Promises would have done them much more The Third of June the Lord Anthony Lucy came Chief Justice of Ireland This year also the English who inhabit about Thurles in the month of May gave the Irish under the command of Briene O-Brene a great overthrow and upon the 11th of June gave them another at Finnagh in Meth. The 27th of June when there was so great a Famine in Ireland through God's mercy there came a-shoar such a vast number of great Sea-fish called Thurlhedis as had not been seen in many Ages for according to the common estimate there
the Bound-rod from Northumberland by the river Tweed running between them for about eight miles This river is one of the 3 that rise out of the same tract of hills Clide runs west towards Dumbarton Anand south towards Solway-sands and this east towards Berwick It is of a swift couâ—se environ'd with hills running through Tweedale-forest and Teviotdale before it go into the Ocean It 's current is above 50 miles in all which compass it hath only two bridges one at Peebles of 5 arches and another at Berwick of 15. It had one at Melross the pillars whereof are yet standing and another is intended at Kelso The length of this County is 20 miles from Lamberton to Ridpeth on the south-side and from Cockburns-path to Seeinghill-kirk on the north-side But take the length anglewise 't is from Lamberton to Lauclugh direct east and west 24 miles It 's breadth is about 14 miles whether you take it on the west-end south-end or middle of the Shire It is divided into three parts Mers â—â—â—s Lammermoor and Lauderdale The Mers is a pleasant low ground lying open to the influence of the sun and guarded from storms by Lammermoor So that the soil is fertil and affords great plenty of oats barley wheat pease c. with abundance of hay Lammermoor â—â—mmerâ—â—â—r is a great tract of hills on the north-side of the Shire above 16 miles in length and 6 at least in breadth abounding with moss and moor The west end of them for four miles together belongs to Lauderdale the rest of it eastward is almost equally parted between East-Lothian and Mers The peculiar use of this tract is pasturage in the summer time and the game it affords by the abundance of Partridge Moor-fowl Plover c. But the product of these parts is not reckoned so good as of others being generally sold at a lower rate Lauderdale â—â—uderâ—â—le is a tract of ground lying on each side of the water of Leider abounding with pleasant haughs green hills and some woods well stor'd also with corn and pasturage The Judicatories â—â—dicatoâ—â—â—â— in this Shire are 1. The Sherif-Court which sits at the town of Duns 2. The Commissariot which sits at Lawder 3. The Regality of Thirlstan belonging to the Earl of Lauderdale 4. The Regality of Preston and Forest of Dye belonging to the Marquiss of Douglas 5. The Lordship of Coldingham and Stewartry of March belonging to the Earl of Hume who is Sheriff and has his residence at Hirsell The more remarkable places besides those mentioned by our Author are Duns â—â—ns a burgh of Barony standing upon a rising ground in the midst of the Shire Every Wednesday it has a great market of Sheep Horses and Cows and is famous for being reputed the birth-place of Joannes Duns Scotus A Gentleman a Laird of that name is still there Eymouth â—â—mouth the only port in the Shire for shipping which was fortified by the French in Queen Mary's minority Ersilton â—â—silton or Earlstown famous for the birth of Thomas Lermouth called Thomas the Rymer Hume for the Castle now demolish'd Caldstream â—â—â—dâ—â—â—â—am a market town lying close upon Tweed Greenlaw â—â—â—enlaw a burgh of Barony with a weekly market Fouldon a large town Rosse â—â—â—se famous for it's harbour and plenty of fish Aton situate upon the water of Ey White-coat White-coat where is a harbour for herring-fishing About Bastenrig on the east-hand and the Moristons and Mellerstoun downs on the west they frequently take the Dotterel Dotterel a rare Fowl towards the latter end of April and beginning of May. d Next the Mers along the south of the Firth or Forth lies the country call'd LOTHIAN having Mers to the east part of Lammermoor and part of Lauderdale with the Forest and Tweedale to the south part of Clidsdale and Stirlingshire to the west and to the north the Firth or Forth It is in length from Cockburns-path in the east to the Shire of Clidsdale about 57 miles and where 't is broadest between 16 and 17 miles over To what our Author has said in commendation of it may be added it's number of Towns with seats of the Nobility and Gentry wherein it goes much beyond the rest of Scotland 'T is divided into 3 distinct Tracts call'd East-Lothian Mid-Lothian and West-Lothian East-Lothian East-Lothian or the Constabulary or Shire of Hadington so called from Hadington one of the three burghs-Royal and seat of the Courts is in length about 22 and in breadth about 12 miles bounded by the Firth on the north and east by a tract of hills called Lammermoor on the south and by Mid-Lothian on the West It abounds with corn of all sorts has good store of grass with some considerable woods as Prestmennan Colston Humbie and Ormestan and abundance of Coal and Lime-stone It has good store of Sheep especially towards the hills of Lammermoor and by west Lammerlaw and from the west part to the sea all along to the east it abounds with Conies It hath many Salt-pans wherein much white Salt is made and at New-Milns there is a considerable manufactory of broad-cloath The sea-coast is accommodated with many convenient harbours and has the advantage of several Fish-towns particularly at Dumbar and on the coast thereabout every year after Lammas there is a Herring-fishing where they take great numbers not only to serve the Inhabitants but also for exportation The first considerable place we meet with in this tract is Dunglas Dunglas a pleasant seat on the sea-coast which formerly belonged to the Earl of Hume but has now another owner In the time of the late Wars a garison was kept there by the Earl of Hadington for the Army who with 30 Knights and Gentlemen of the name of Hamilton besides several other considerable persons perished in the ruines of this house For it was designedly blown up in the year 1640 by Nathaniel Paris an Englishman one of his own servants while the Earl was reading a Letter in the Court which he had then received from the Army with all the Gentlemen about him Only four of the whole Company escaped who by the force of the powder were thrown to a great distance from the house 'T is now repaired and adorned by Sir John Hall the present possessor with curious Gardens spacious Courts and a large and pleasant Avenue They have here a Collegiate Church a goodly large building and vaulted but 't is now ruinous Along the Coast to Dunbar is a pleasant Country the most fruitful in the Kingdom especially in Wheat and Barley South-east of Dumbar a Burgh-royal in this Shire is Dunhill Dunhill memorable for the victory obtained Sept. 30. 1650. over the scotch-Scotch-Army under Lesly by a handful of men and those too but sickly under the command of Cromwell Which miscarriage if some ingenuous persons who were in the Action may be believed was rather owing to the treachery of some
great men than any conduct or bravery of the Enemies The most considerable Houses Houses are Brocksmouth the chief residence of the Earl of Roxburgh Tiningham the residence of the Earl of Hadington near which there is a quarry of Marble Seaton and Winton the houses of the Earl of Winton The Templars and after them the Knights of Rhodes and Malta had a residence in this Shire at St. Germains It has at present two Presbyteries of Hadington and Dunbar e The Sheriffdom of Edenburgh commonly called Mid-Lothian Mid-Lothian is the principal Shire of the Kingdom and is in length 20 or 21 miles the breadth of it is different according to the several parts in some 16 or 17 miles in others not above 5 or 6. On the south it is bounded with the Sheriffdom of Hadington for 13 miles together on the east with the Baillery of Lauderdale for about four on the south with the Sheriffdom of Twedale for 13 miles on the south-west with the Sheriffdom of Lanerick for 6 or 7 miles and on the west for two miles by the said Sheriffdom on the north-west with the Sheriffdom of Linlithgow for 14 miles and on the north with the Firth or Forth for the space of 8 miles This tract is abundantly furnished with all necessaries producing a great deal of corn of all sorts and affording good pasture for cattle It has very much coal and lime-stone as also a sort of soft black marble and some few miles from Edenburgh near the water of Leith they have a Copper-mine Edenburgh * Theatrum Scotiae p. 7. is not only the most considerable place in those parts but the chief City of the Kingdom of Scotland The Romans could not well have made choice of a better place for a Fortification for the rock on which the present Castle is situated is inaccessible on all sides except the East The first building of a Fort here seems to have given Rise to the town and to have encouraged the neighbours to fix under the protection of it So that the houses and inhabitants by little and little increasing have brought it down to the very foot of the ascent toward the east and made it an entire Scotch mile in length and half a mile in breadth The ascent upon which the City stands has on the north-side a pool call'd the North-Loch and was formerly guarded by another on the south call'd the South-Loch as appears from the leases of some houses of S. Ninian's Row that are let with the privilege of a boat annext But this is drain'd many years ago and upon the banks of it are built two several tracts of houses The City has six Gates the principal whereof to the East was magnificently rebuilt in the year 1616 and adorned with Towers on both sides Two streets run along the whole length of the town The High-street from the Castle to the Abby said to be the broadest in Europe is of late built of hewen stone since by an Act of the Town-Council they have been prohibited to build any more of Timber either in the City or Suburbs upon account of the many Fires which have happened And as the private Buildings Publick Buildings so also the publick do very much exceed those in other parts of that Kingdom In the middle of the City is St. Giles's Church Churches a Cathedral built of hewn stone and adorned with stone pillars and vaultings 'T is so large as to be divided into 3 Churches each whereof has its Parish Besides this Grey-friers they have the South-Church in the Church-yard whereof amongst many other monuments is that of Sir George Mackenzy The Trone-Church built in 1641. The Collegiate Church of the Sacred Trinity built by Mary of Gueldres King James the Second's Queen The Lady Yester's Church built and endowed by one of the Lady Yesters and another very beautiful one built within these 5 years To these we must add two Chapels St. Magdalens and St. Mary's with another at the foot of the Canon-gate Next to these are their Hospitals Hospitals St. Thomas's and Heriot's Hospital In the first the poorer sort of Inhabitants are maintained very handsomly and have their own proper Chaplain The second so called from the founder George Heriot Jeweller to James 6. is a stately Fabrick like a Palace In the inner Frontispiece is the Statue of the Founder erected and round about the houses are pleasant gardens adorned with large Walks and Greens 'T is a Nursery for boys wherein the children of the poorer Citizens have their education till they be fit for the publick Schools and Colleges Other Buildings Near the Cathedral-Chuch is the Parliament-house standing in a great Court which on one side is enclosed with the upper and lower Exchange and with a tract of very stately buildings Here is one of the highest houses perhaps in the world mounting seven stories above the Parliament-Court and being built upon the descent of a hill the back-part is as far below it so that from the bottom to the top one stair-case ascends 14 stories high In the middle of the Court is the Statue of King Charles II. in brass erected upon a stately Pedestal at the charge of the City On the South-side is the College of King James the sixth founded in the year 1580 and endowed with all the Privileges of an University The precincts are very large and the whole is divided into 3 Courts adorned on all sides with excellent buildings two lower and one higher which is as large as both the other They have their publick Schools and a Common-hall wherein Divinity Hebrew and Mathematicks are taught Their Library is well stor'd with printed books and and has some Manuscripts under that is the King's Printing-house The Students have very good accommodation and the Professors neat and handsom Lodgings with very good Gardens for their recreation The Royal-Palace Palace whereof his Grace the Duke of Hamilton is hereditary Keeper hath four Courts The Outer-Court which is as big as all the rest has four principal Entries 'T is on all hands bounded with lovely Gardens on the south lies the King's Park which hath great variety of medicinal plants The Entry of the Palace is adorned with great pillars of hewn stone and a Cùpilo in fashion of a Crown above it The forepart is terminated by four high towers two towards the north erected by King James V. and the rest by King Charles II. The Inner-Court has Piazza's round it all of hewn stone But above all the Long-Gallery is most remarkable being adorned with the pictures of all the Kings of Scotland from Fergus I. About 20 years ago Water the Magistrates were at great expence to bring one of the best Springs of Scotland into the City which they did by leaden Pipes from a Hill at above 3 miles distance And to make it more convenient they have erected several stately Fountains in the middle of the