said Gruffith Item I and the said Gruffith and either of us shall hold our portions of Land of our said Soveraign Lord the King in Capite acknowleging him Chief Lord thereof Item I shall restore unto Roger de Monte Alto Steward of Chester his land of Montalt or Mould with the appurtenances Item I shall also restore to all other Barons all such Lands Lordships and Castles as were taken from them since the beginning of the wars between the Lord John King of England and the said Lhewelin Prince of VVales my father saving the right of all covenants and Grants by writing to be reserved unto the judgment and determination of the Kings Court. Item I shall give and restore unto our Soveraign Lord the King all his charges in this present voyage laid out Item I shall make satisfaction for all dammages and injuries done by me or any of my Subjects unto the King or his according to the consideration of the Kings Court and shall deliver such as shall be malefactors in that behalf Item I shall restore unto the said Lord the King all the said homages which the late King John his father had and which the said Lord the King of right ought to have especially of all the noblemen of Wales and if the King shall set at liberty any of his captives the possessions of that man shall remain to the King Item the Land of Elsmere with the appurtenances shall remain to the Lord the King and his heirs for ever Item I shall not receive or suffer to be received within any Countrey of Wales any of the Subjects of England outlawed or banished by the said Lord the King or his Barons of Mercia Item For confirmation and performance of all and singular the premises on my behalf I shall provide by bonds and pledges and all other waies and means as the said Lord the King shall award and will accomplish the commandement of the said King and will obey his laws In witnesse whereof to this present writing I have put to my Seal Dated at Alnet by the River of Elwey in the feast of the dedication of St. John Baptist in the 25 year of the reign of the said King Mr. Powel fol. 306. For the Observation of these Articles the said Prince David and Ednivet Vachan were sworn Upon these atonements David sent privately unto the King Justice done not for Justice sake but for self ends to desire him that he would suffer him being his Nephew and the lawful heir of Lhewelin his father to enjoy the principality of Wales rather then Gruffith who was but a Bastard though some account him legitimate and nothing of kin unto the King giving him withal to understand that in case he did set Gruffith at liberty he should be sure to have the war renewed whereupon the King knowing those things to be true and understanding also that Gruffith was a valiant stout man and had many friends and favourers of his cause inclined rather to assent unto Davids request then otherwise to be in danger of further troubles and therefore willingly granted the same Shortly after David sent his brother Gruffith unto the King and other pledges for himself for the performance of the said Articles M. Paris p. 765 From prison to prison like a fish out of the frying pan into the fire which the King sent forthwith to the Tower of London there to be safely kept allowing to Gruffith a Noble dayly for his maintenance And within few dayes after Michaelmas P. David came to the K. Court and did him homage and swore fealty who for so doing and because he was the Kings Nephew was sent home again in peace When Gruffith saw how all things went and that he was not like to be set at liberty he began to devise means how to escape out of prison Wherefore deceiving the Watch one night he made a long line of hangings An unfortunate end of a desperate attempt coverings and sheets and having got out of a window let down himself by the same from the top of the Tower but by reason that he was a mighty personage and full of flesh the line brake with the weight of his body and so falling down headlong from a great height his neck and head was driven into his body with the fall whose miserable Carkass being found the morrow after was a pittiful spectacle to the beholders The King being certified hereof commanded his son to be better looked unto and punished the Officers for their negligence About this time the King fortified the Castle of Dyserth in Flintshire and gave to Gruffith son to Gwenwynwyn Lord of Powis his inheritance and to the sons of Conan ap Owen Gwyneth their Lands in Merionith The Bishop of Bangor a constant friend to that party came to the Court to sue for the deliverance of Gruffith son to Lhewelin the Prince but the King knowing him to be a man of great courage would in no wise grant his liberty About this time Maelgon Vachan fortified the Castle of Garthgrugin John de Mynoc also fortified the Castle of Buelht and Roger Mortimer the Castle of Melienyth The summer following the King began to vex the Welsh extremely and take their Lands by force without just title or rightful cause and now died Rees Mechylh son to Rees Gryc of South Wales During these transactions Varium mutabile semper David gathered all his strength to be revenged of all the wrongs which the Earls of Clare and Hereford which John d◠Monurch and Roger de Alto Monte and other Merebers did to his people whom all the Lords of VVales obeyed and took for their Soveraign saving Gruffith son to Gwenwynwyn and Morgan ap Howel which two also were shortly compelled to obey and then the Prince entered the March Lands spoyling and destroying a great part thereof with whom the said Earles fought divers battails and sometimes the one and sometimes the other had the victory 300 Welshmen slain neer Montgomery M. Par. p. 884. English put to flight K. Hen. 3. nothing fortunate against the Welsh The year ensuing the Marchers and the VVelshmen met not far from Montgomery where was a cruel fight and 300 of the VVelshmen slain and a great number of the English among whom was a noble Knight called Hubert Fitz Matthew whereupon the King being weary of his domestical troubles gathered a vast army of English and Gascoynes and entred Northwales intending to destroy the Country but the prince met with his people in a straight and fought with them and put them to flight There the King lost a great number of his most worthy Soldiers and Nobility and most part of the Gascoines and now seeing he could do no good he sent for the Irishmen who landed in the Isle of Môn or Anglesey and spoyled a great part thereof till the Inhabitants of the Isle gathered themselves together and met with them being loaden with plunder whom they
himself but was ready to make peace with the Scottish King and the Earl of Chester but for all this Owen would not trust the King until such time as his Unkle Meredyth came from the King to him and counselled him not to forsake the King of Englands offer but rather to trust to his promise and to make haste before the Prince agreed with the King who offered him all his Lands without tribute Owen hearing this came to the King who received him graciously and told him because he had trusted the Kings word and promise he would not only perform that but also exalt him above all his â—kin and give him his lands without tribute The Prince also hearing of this sent to the King to have his peace which because the King could not come by him he obtained for a great summe of mony Some Brittish copies write that the submission both of Gruffith ap Conan and also of Owen ap Cadogan was procured by subtle policy of Meredyth ap Blethyn and the Earl of Chester the one working with Gruffith and bearing him in hand that Owen had submitted himself to the King and made his peace with him before it was so indeed so that the Prince something yeilding to the Earls request if Owen had so done contrary to his oath for they were sworn each to other the one not to agree without the assent of the other seemed to encline to peace On the otherside Meredyth going himself in person to his Nephew Owen This Nation still brought to ruine by the nobles thereof affirmed for a truth that the Prince and the Earl of Chester were throughly agreed concerning peace and that the Prince was on his journey towards the King to make his submission and in the mean time all messengers between Owen and the Prince were by the procurement of Meredyth intercepted where upon Owen willingly yielded himself to the King The King having finished his businesse in Wales called Owen to him and told him that if he would go with him into Normandy and be faithful unto him he would perform all his promises with him whereupon Owen went with the King into Normandie where he was made Knight and had all promises performed by the King at his return the Year following At which time dyed Griffith Bishop of Menevia and the King made one Bernard a Norman Bishop in his place contrary to the minds of all the Clergy of Wales who were alwaies accustomed to choose their Bishop At this time there was a rumour through all Southwales of Gruffith the son of Rees ap Theodore who for fear of the King had been of a child brought up in Ireland and had come over two years since which time he had spent privately with his friends and Kinsfolk and Allies as with Girald Steward of Pembrock his brother in law and others but at last he was accused to the King that he intended the Kingdom of Southwales as his father had enjoyed it which was now in the Kings hands and that all the Country hoped for Liberty by his means therefore the King sent to secure him but Griffith ap Rees hearing of this sent to Griffith ap Conan Prince of Northwales desiring his and and that he might remain safely with him in his country which he granted and received him joyfully for his fathers sake Howel the brother of this Griffith being committed to prison Arnulph Earl of Chester in the Castle of Montgomery where he remained prisoner a long time made an escape and being sore hurt and bruised fled to Gruffith ap Conan where his brother was Which thing when the King heard he sent gentle letters to the Prince desiring him to come and speak with him which Griffith ap Conan did whom the King received honourably and gave him rich gifts and pretious Jewels after the usage of the Normans who make much of men to serve their turns afterwards he talked with him of Gruffith ap Rees promising him mountains of gold to send the said Griffith or his head unto him the which thing the Prince being deceived with the fair words of the King promised to do and so returned home joyfully But Gruffith ap Rees and Howel his brother had counsel given them to withdraw themselves out of the way awhile untill they understood what the Prince would do for their friends suspected the Kings message The Prince as soon as ever he came to his pallace at Aberfraw inquired for Griffith ap Rees and learning where he was sent certain horsemen for him to come to his Court and as they came towards his house where he was he had warning of their coming and with much ado escaped to the Church of Aberdaron and took Sanctuary there Then the Messengers returned again and declared to the Prince how all things fell out and the Prince being highly offended commanded him to be taken out by force but the Clergy of the whole Country with stood that and defended the liberties of their Church That night some who took compassion to see the young man innocent to be sought as a Lamb to the slaughter conveyed him away out of Northwales to Stratywy in Southwales where he was compelled for safeguard of his own life to rebell against the King and so gathering all the power he could to him made war against the Flemmings and Normans year 1116 The next year after to wit 1116. Gruffith ap Rees did gather his forces and laid seidg to a Castle that was over against Arberth and wan the same and utterly dismantled it laying it level with the ground which done he approached the Castle of Richard de Pwns at Lhanymdhyfry to whom the King had given the Cantref Bychan and would have burnt it but Meredyth ap Rytherck ap Caradoc Lieutenant of the same and the Garrison defended it couragiously yet Gruffith fired the outworks and slew many of the Souldiers but not without losse on his own part and then returned without any advantage From thence he went to Abertawy and beleagur'd a Castle which Henry Beaumont Earl of Warwick had built burning the outguards and destroying the Country of Stratywy Upon these transactions several haire-brain'd young men in great numbers from all parts adjoyned themselves to Gruffith So that his power began to be considerable which so elevated his thoughts that he made attempts and inroads into Ros and Dynet spoyling and plundering the Country The Normans and Flemmings seeing this mischief entered into consultation how to remedy so grand a tempest calling unto their aid and assistance all such as were the Kings friends amongst which were Owen ap Ritherck and Rytherck ap Theodore and his sons Meredyth and Owen whose mother was Heynyth the daughther of Blethin ap Convin and Owen ap Caradoo whose mother was Genlhian an other daughter of Blethin ap Convin and Meredyth ap Rytherck and asked whether they were true and faithful to the King of England who answered affirmatively If you be said they you
the house Mr. Broug fol. 59. 6. or all and make him a stranger there I cannot find it by St. Paul onely repeating them of one family or any other warrant For it was plain here by the Apostle that he was a chief and principal Christian in Rome and first named among those worthies and before St. Linus a Bishop then and Pudens a Senator and absolutely there set down as their chiefest receiver friend and patron which cannot agree 〈◊〉 any other better then to the Father of St. Claudia St. Eubulus probably a Brittain this Father in Law to her Husband St. â—â—dens and first entertainer of St. Peter the Apostle in Rome by the Romans tradition for neither Dorotheus the continuator of Florentius Wigor nor any other that write of the Disciples there place him among Clergy-men and St. Paul which giveth him that honour in that place clearly proveth he was none of his Disciples then in Rome for he writeth in the same place only Luke is with me No Martyrology speaketh of him neither any Historian or Interpreter of Scripture to my reading setteth down of what Nation he was but leave him for a stranger as likewise many do St. Claudia Therefore except better Authority can be brought against me seeing he is by the Apostle so signified and placed the first in that family and salutation Eubulus greeteth you 2 Tim. 4. and Pudens and Linus and Claudia there is no cause yet I find to deny him to be the owner and Master of that house that first entertained St. Peter in Rome and he himself the first happy man that gave that glorious Apostle entertainment there that he was our most renowned Countryman of Brittain and Father of Lady Claudia for there is no other by any probable conjecture was likely to perform this duty in that house Pudens as before was either then unborn or an Infant of his own parents Father or Mother there is no mention in antiquities that either they were Christians or that they dwelt at all in Rome much lesse in that house being inhabitants of Sabinum and by Country Sabinites far distant from Rome And so there is none left unto us to be a Christian and left to entertain that heavenly Messenger and Guest S. Peter in that time and place but the renowned parents of St. Claudia then dwelling in Rome and there confined to a certain house and place of permanency by command of the Roman power to whom with many other Noble Brittains they were hostages and pledges for the fidelity and obedience of this Kingdome to the Roman Emperours at that time Mr. Broug fol. 59. 6. To strengthen this opinion we may add that St. Paul sendeth to St. Timothy his Disciple the salutations of Eubulus before all others of which sending the greetings of so few by name it will be no easie search to find out a better or more probable reason then this that St. Timothy so neer and beloved a scholar of St. Paul lodged usually in this house he also was there with his Master entertained by Eubulus the owner thereof and by that Title of his Hospitality obtained the first place in that salutation otherwise no man will doubt but S. Linus Bishop by calling so honourable in the Church of Christ ought and should have been named before him And that this familiar acquaintance between St. Timothy and these our holy Christian Brittains received original from their ancient entertainment of St. Timothy in their house in Rome many years before this their salutation in the Epistle of St. Paul it is evident for St. Paul being now lately come to Rome when he wrote this Epistle neither he nor St. Timothy were after St. Pauls first dismission from prison there so long before it is manifest that these though the Lady young in years were ancient Christians at that time and we have an uncontroleable warrant from St. Paul himself in his Epistle to the Hebrews that St. Timothy was at Rome when he was first prisoner there in the beginning of Nero his Empire For thus he writeth Know you that our brother Timothy is set at liberty Thus St. Paul writeth from Rome in the time of his first imprisonment there and so maketh these our country Christians to be acquaintance of St. Timothy then to be more ancient in the school of Christ then either St. Timothy or St. Paul at his first coming to Rome when there was none to instruct either them or others in Christian Religion at Rome but St. Peter and his Disciples I add to this the charge and warning which Martial the poet gave before to Pudens Rufus my lines from thy Wives Father keep an evident testimony that they then lived in one house together and so the poems sent to Pudens might easily come to his Father in law his hands and reading except Pudens hae been so forewarned to keep and conceal them from him whereof there had been no danger nor need of that admonition if they had lived in distinct places and not in one House And thus much of the Father of the Lady Claudia Concerning her holy Mother also so good a Nurse and Tutrix to so happy a child we are not altogether left desolate without hope but we may probably find her forth for the honour of this Kingdome her Country And except the Roman Historians can find unto us a Christian Father to St. Pudens and dwelling with his wife in the same House as I have found unto them a Father unto St. Claudia and Father in law to Pudens an holy Christian dwelling in that house before Pudens his time by Nation of this Kingdome which by that is said before they cannot doe seeing that Noble Matron which is acknowledged by the Roman Writers even Baronius to have dwelt in that House and Grandmother to St. Claudia her children Priscilla foundresse of a Church-yard in Rome of her Name Mother of St. Claudia very probable Baronius in Annot. in Martyrolog Rom. July the 8. St. Pastor Sen. Hermes in Act. St. Pudens Baron Tom. 1. Annal. Anno 159. an 166. must needs be her Mother her Fathers wife and Mother in law to Pudens I am bold to assign that glorious and renowned St. Priscilla Foundresse of that wonderful and religious Church-yard to be the same Brittish Christian Lady Baronius though staggering sometimes in his opinion herein saith plainly There was a most Noble Matron in Rome called Priscilla Grandmother of the Virgins Pudentia and Praxedes of whom there is mention in the Acts of Pudentia written by St. Pastour The like he writeth in other places whereas she is there by him called the Mother of Pudens he must needs be understood to speak in their phrase which ordinarily all Mothers in law use by the absolute name of Mothers as the common custom is Sometimes in other places Baronius saith St. Priscilla was wife to Pudens and Mother to St. Novatus Pudentiana and Praxedes so likewise doth Zepherinus
thou that with Fornication of all Evills as it were the full Heap thine own Wife being put away and by her honest Death thou dost oppress thy Soul with a certain Burden that cannot be avoided of thy own un-shamefac'd Daughter consume not I pray thee the Residue of thy Daies to the Offence of God Hollenshed in Vorliporus c. Thus Hollenshed out of Gildas Fabian in Vorliporus Fabian writing of this King saith Of which is little left in any Chronicle except that Guido testifying him to be a victorious Knight shewing briefly that in sundry Battels he discomfited the Saxons and defended the Land and Brittains from the Danger of them and other their Allyes Howe 's in eodem Howes calleth him a vicious King and a Tyrant who put from him his Wife and kept her Daughter for his Concubine Harpesfield having spoken of several Saintly men and great Schollers in the Reign of former Kings continuing his History saith After whom other famous and learned Brittains are not to be forgotten I mean Thelianus Daniel Petrocius Kentegernus Sampson Cadocus with others Thelianus born of an Illustrious and Princely Off-spring yet more illustrated his Family by his own most resplendent Virtues he was first Disciple to Dubritius Bishop of Landaff and afterwards together with Saint David to Paulinus So strict was the Amity betwixt him and David that they were esteemed the most admirable Pair of Friends of that time For the wonderfull Lustre of his Virtue and Sanctity he was commonly called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. The Sun from whence by Corruption instead of Elios he is usually called Elive He succeeded Dubritius in the Episcopal Dignity of Landaff where after the leading of a most holy Life he rendred his blessed Soul into the hands of his Creatour in the Ides of February in the Reign of Vorliporus Anno 540. Daniel famous both for Learning and Virtue associated himself with Dubritius and David for Extirpation of the cursed Poyson of the Pelagian Heresie and founded that Renowned Colledge of Acaon in the province of North-Wales which is now the Bishopprick of Bangor where he was the first Bishop and flourished untill the year 560. under Vortiporus There is a certain Island in Wales which the Cambrians or Welshmâ—n Scots and English call Bardsey in which they say not onely the Body of this Daniel but of divers other Saints likewise are interr'd neither want Authours who affirm that for the sakes of those Saints there buried the Inhabitants of that Isle live extreamly long even to the most decrepid Age that can be imagined Who so desireth to have further Satisfaction concerning the Renowned Brittains in this Kings Reign let him read Harpsfield in the first six Ages c. 27. Malgo Conanus Malgo Pulcher Conanus of North-Wales began his Reign over the Brittains and continued his Reign five years This Malgo was in proportion of body Hower fol. 56. greater then any of the Kings or Dukes of Brittain but he delighted in the foul sin of Sodomy he slew his first Wife and then took to Wife his own Brothers Daughter This Malgo saith Hollenshed is reported to have been the comeliest Gentleman in beauty and shape of Personage Hollenshed 147. in Malgo. that was to be found in those dayes among all the Brittains and therewith of a bold and hardy courage he manfully defended the Countrey which he had in Government from the malice of the Saxons and subdued the out Isles as Orkney and others but notwithstanding the Noble Qualities with which his person was adorned yet he spotted them all with the foul sin of Sodomy so that he fell into hatred with Almighty God and being pursued of the Saxons received many Overthrows at their hands as by the Report of the English Writers is gathered more at large Finally when he had reigned five years and odd Moneths he departed this Life It seemeth that this Malgo is named by Gildas Maglocunus which Gildas before he speaketh of him inveigheth against one Cuneglasus whom he reproveth for that he warred both against God and Man against God with grievous sins as namely Adultery in forsaking the Company of his lawfull Wife and keeping to Concubine a Sister of hers that had professed chastity and against man with material Armour and Weapons which he used to the Destruction of his own countreymen with whom he kept Wars and not against the Enemies of the Common-Wealth From Cuneglasus he cometh to the foresaid Maglocune whom he nameth The Dragon of the Isles and the Expeller of many Tyrants not onely out of their Kindomes but also out of Life the last of whom he intreateth as himself saith but the first in all Mischief and Evill greater then many in Power and likewise in Malice right liberal in giving and more plentifull in sin strong and valiant in Arms but stronger in Destruction of his own Soul and so proceeding chargeth him with the sin of the Sodomites and sore blameth him for that whereas it had pleased God to make him higher then all other Chieftains of his Kindome he did not shew himself better but contrarily worse then they by far in manners and conditions He declareth also a little after that this Maglocune in his younger years slew in Battel his Uncle being King with the most valiant Souldiers in a manner that he had Also that whereas the said Maglocune took upon him the profession of a Monk he after renounced the same and became a worse Liver then ever he was before abandoning his Wife and keeping his Brothers Sons Wife whilst her Husband was yet living Thus by that which Gildas writeth of the Kings and Rulers of Brittain which lived in his daies ye may perceive that they were given to all manner of Wickedness and namely to civil Dissention Rapine Adultery and Fornication so that it may be thought that God stirred up the Saxons to be a scourge to them and to worke his just Vengeance upon them for their wicked and abominable Offences daily committed against his Divine Majesty so that we finde recorded by Writers how that the Saxons in divers conflicts against the Brittains had the better and also took from them divers Towns as hath been partly already and shall hereafter be made manifest Fabian tells us Fab. fol. 99. that Malgo in his later daies being oppressed and pursued by his Enemies lastly dyed when he had reigned thirty five years whereas other Authours allow only five Careticus Careticus took upon him the rule and Goverment of the Brittains this man loved civil War and was odible both to God and his Subjects They moved the Saxons being accompanied with Gurmundus King of Ireland to make war upon Careticus in such wise that he was faine to take the Town of Cicester where they assaulted him and fired the Town by tying fire to the wings of Sparrows that he with his men fled from thence into Wales by which means he left a great
this place by the Brittains we have already spoken Conon of Meriadoc now Denbighland in the year of Grace 384. was the first Prince of the Brittish blood in Armorica or Little Brittain the second was 2. Graldonus 3. Solomon I. The names of the Kings of little Brittain 4. Auldranus 5. Budicus I. 6. Howellus Magnus This Howel was with King Arthur in his wars 7. Howellus II. 8. Alanus I. 9. Howellus III. 10. Gilquellus 11. Solomon II. 12. Alanus II. Of whom mentions is made in this place who descended of a daughter of Rune the son of Mailgon Gwyneth King of Great Brittain who was married to the forenamed Howel II King of Little Brittain 13. Conobertus 14. Budicus II. 15. Theodoricus 16. Rualhonus 17. Daniel Dremrost i. e. with the red face 18. Aregstanus 19. Maconus 20. Neomenius 21. Haruspagius 22. Solomon III Who was slain by his own men and then was that Kingdom turned into an Earldom whereof Alen was the first Earl who valiantly resisted the Normans and vanquished them oft at last it was a Dukedom Cadwallader bein in Brittain was certified that a great number of strangers as Saxons Angles and Juthes had arrived in great Brittain and finding it desolate and without inhabitants saving a few Saxons who had called them in and certain poor Brittains who lived by roots in Rocks and Woods had overrun a great part thereof and dividing it into Territories and Kingdomes inhabited that part which was then and yet at this day by the Welsh who are the ancient Brittains called Lhoyger and in English England with all the Cities Townes Castles and Villages which the Brittains had builded ruled and inhabited by the space of 1827. years under divers Kings and Princes of great renown whereupon he purposed to return and by strength of Brittish Knights to recover his own Land again After he had prepared and made ready his Navy for the transporting of his own men with such succours as he had found at Alan's hand an Angel appeared to him in a Vision and declared that it was the will of God that he should not take his voyage towards Brittain but to Rome to Pope Sergius where he should end his life and be afterwards numbred among the blessed Which vision after that Cadwallader had declared to his friend Alan he sent for all his books of prophesies as the works of both Merdhines or Merlins to wit Ambrose and Sylvester surnamed Merdhin Wylht and the words which the Eagle spoke at the building of Caer Septon to be now come whereof they had prophesied To this very day the Welsh the very real ofspring of the Brittains are much addicted unto prophesies and so confident that out of their old books I know some my self and those of good quality they doubt not to tell you things to come but those prophesies are never discerned to have come to pass till it be too late as in Ragland Castle in Monmothshire and others which it concerns me not to speak of Alan upon the relation of Cadwallader his vision or dream counselled him to fullfil the will of God who did so and taking his journey to Rome lived there eight years in the service of God and dyed in the year of Christ 688. So that the Brittains ruled this Isle with the out-Isles of Wight Mon in English called Anglesey Manaw in English Man Orkney and Ewyst 1137. years before Christ until the year of his Incarnation 688. and thus ended the rule of the Brittains over the whole Isle This glorious King bore for his armes Azure a crosse firmie fitched Or. He slew Lothayre King of Kent and Aethelwald King of the South Saxons Ivor the son of Alan After Cadwallader had taken his journey towards Rome Gerard Leigh in his accidence of armory fol. 33. leaving his son named Edwal the Roo and his people with his Cousin Alan which Alan taking courage to him and not despairing of the conquest of Brittain manned his ships as well with a great number of his own people as with those which Cadwallader had brought with him and appointed Ivor his son and Inyr his Nephew to be leaders and chieftains of the same who sailing over the narrow seas landed in the West parts of Brittain of whose arrival when the Saxons were certified they gathered a great Army and gave Ivor battail where they were put to flight and lost a great number of their people and Ivor wan the Countries of Cornwall Devonshire and Somersetshire and peopled them with Brittains Whereupon Kentwinus King of West-Sex gathered a great number of Saxons and Angles together and came against the Brittains which were ready to abide the battail and as the armies were both in sight they were not very desirous to fight but fell to a composition and agreement that Ivor should take Ethelburga to wife who was Cofin to Kentwin and quietly enjoy all that he had during the reign of Ivor This Ivor is he whom our English Chronicles call Ive or Jew King of West Saxons H. Lhoyd that reigned after Cedwel and they say that he was a Saxon for Kentwin reigned full five years after Ivors coming into England and after him his Nephew Cedwel who after he had reigned over the west Saxons two years went to Rome and left his Kingdom to Ive his Cousin This Ive or Ivor whom the Brittains call the son of Alan and the Saxons the son of Kenred being King of the Saxons and Brittains which inhabited the West parts of Brittain after many victories atchived against the Kings of Kent Southsex and Mercia left his Kingdome to Adelred or as some call him Adelerdus his Cousin and took his journey to Rome where he made a godly end about the year of our Lord seven hundred and twenty Roderike or Rodri the Son of Edwal Yworch Roderike over the Brittains began his reign Anno. 720. against whom Adelred King of the West Saxons raised a great Army and destroying the Country of Devonshire The Brittains victorious against the Saxons in three battails entered Cornwall where Roderike with the Brittains gave him battail in with the Brittains had the victory over the Saxons the year after the Brittains obtained two other victories over the Saxons one in Northwales at a place called Garth Maelawc and an other in Southwales at Pencoed At this time Belin the Son of Elphin a noble Man among the Brittains died Ethelbaldus King of Mercia desirous to annex the fertile soil of the Country lying between Severn and Wye to his own Kingdom gathered an Army and entered into Wales A battail near Abergevenny and destroying all before him he came to the Mountain Carno not far from Abergevenny where a sore battail was fought between him and the Brittains Anno seven hundred twenty eight This Mercian King called to his aid Adelard King of the West Saxons and gave battail to the Brittains where after a long and terrible conflict he obtained a bloody victory
Cadogan kept himself privately in Powis and sent to the King to declare and manifest his innocency The King allowed of his submission and allegations and granted that he should remain in the Country and enjoy the town and lands which he had by his Wife for she was daughter to a Lord of Normandy called Pigot de Say Then Madoc and Ithel his two Nephews divided such Lands as he and his son Owen had in Powis betwixt them and ruled it very evil for they could never agree amongst themselves Within a while after Cadogan made such friends to the King that paying 100 pound fine he should injoy his lands again in Caerdigan and that the inhabitants should return to their houses and manure and till their ground for the King had given commandement that no Welshmen nor Norman should dwell within Caerdigan when they that were in Ireland understood this they returned privately and hid themselves in the houses of their kindred and friends after whom Owen followed but not to Cadogan for his father had received that Land upon such condition that he should not suffer Owen to come therein nor aid him either by counsel money or men Howbeit Owen came to Powis and would gladly have sent Messengers unto the King but he could get no man that would venture to speak to him Much about this time there happened â—ome variance between Madoc ap Riryd and the Bishop of London Lieutenant of the Marshes about certain fellows of England that had fled to him for succour whom the Bishop sent for but could not get wherefore he was highly displeased with him Riryd understanding hereof sent to Owen and desired his friendship whose greatest enemy he was before and by this means they were made friends and swore each to other that neither of them should betray the other nor agree by himself with the King or his Officers without the other and thereupon they burned and spoyled the lands of such as they loved not and destroyed all things that they met withall This year appeared a terrible Comet and the King took into consideration Jorwerth ap Blethyn whom he had kept long in prison and sent to know of him what fine he would pay to have his liberty and he promised the King 300 pounds or the worth thereof in cattel or horses then the King set him at liberty and gave him his land again and gave ten pounds of that mony to Henry the son of Cadogan by the daughter of Pigot All this while Owen and Madoc were burning and plundering the Englishmen and Normans and ever withdrew themselves to the land of Jorwerth which thing grieved him greatly whereupon he sent word of his danger desiring them to spare his land and Cadogans For if it were known that they came in any of theirs the Land was forfeited to the King when Owen and Ryrid heard this they frequented his territories the more often then formerly which Jorwerth perceiving chased them quite away Then he went to the country of Vchtryd in Merionethshire and the sons of Vchtrid sent word to their people to withstand them and so they did for meeting them by the way they set upon them and Owen and Madoc defended themselves manfully but at the last they and their men were driven back so that they were forced to fly Owen to Caerdigan to his Fathers Country and Madoc to Powis Then Owen with his companions made divers roads to Dynet and spoyled it carrying away both men and cattel to the ships that came from Ireland and after ransomed them and then gathering fresh recrutes he set upon a town of the Flemmings and fired it returning from thence to Gaerdigan nothing valuing his Fathers danger or the Kings displeasure At this time it chanced that Owens men among other mischiefs Owen guilty first of a Rape and now murder and sacriledge laid wait for a Bishop belonging to the King whose name was William de Brabant and slew him and all his Men Whilst these things were in agitation Jorwerth and Cadogan were at the Court to treat with the King concerning certain business of their own and as the King talked with them behold there came in a Flemming brother to the murdered Bishop who made an exclamation how Owen ap Cadogans men had slain his brother and many more and how they were succoured in Cadogans land The King hereupon highly displeased asked Cadogan what he could say to the matter and he laying all the fault upon his Son excused himself as well as he could Then said the King to Cadogan Seeing thou canst not keep thine own but that thy Son and his adherents shall be succoured there in their disorder I will give it to one that shall keep them out here I will maintain thee all thy life at my proper charges charging thee upon thy Allegiance that thou enter not into Wales until such time as I have taken further order And so the King gave him twenty dayes and set him at liberty to go whether he would Wales excepted when Owen and Madoc heard this they departed to Ireland The King forthwith sent for Gilbert surnamed Strongbow this Gilbert was youngest Son of Gilbert de Clare Lord of the honours of Clare in Suffolk and Grand-child of Robert Fitz-Gilbert and Rohesia his wife daughter to Walter Gilford Earl of Longeville in Normandy Chepflow and Strigul once belonged to the Clares Tyntern Abbey founded by Walter Clare Lord of Caerwent and Unkle to Gilbert Strongbow Earl of Strigul 1131. this Gilbert was Lord of Chepstow and Strigul Castle in Monmothshire part of whose ruines yet remain who for his much keeping of that Castle was commonly called Earl of Strigul he gave Doglesdon to the Church of Worcester and in a certain deed where he gave Lands to an Abbey Gilbert de Gurney Richard Son of the Earl and Henry Maltravers being witnesses he is entitled Earl of Pembrock and Lord of the Rape of Penensel his Unkle Walter de Clare was Lord of Caerwent in Monthmoshire and the Marsh of Leigh by Tunbridge And founded Tyntern Abbey in Wales not far from Strigul 1131. This Gilbert the fourtenth of King Stephen 1149. had been Earl of Pembrock and Strigul ten years whose armes were Or three Cheverens Gules a labell of five B. But to return to our History the King therefore sent for Gilbert Earl of Strigul who was a Valiant and worthy Knight to whom he said thus Thou hast been divers times a suitor to me to have some Lands in Wales and now I give thee all the Lands and Inheritance of Cadogan ap Blethyn win it and take it Gilbert received it joyfully and thanked the King and gathered forces and landed in Caerdiganshire and brought the Country to his subjection without any opposall where he builded two fair Castles one towards Northwales upon the River Ystwyth at the Sea shoar a mile from Lhanbadarn an other towards Dynet upon the River Teini at a place called Dyngerant where Roger
Howell his son who had for a long time been pledge with him and then also he gave him day for the other Pledges and for his tribute till his return from Ireland The next day being the morrow after St. Lukes day the King took shipping there and had fair passage into Ireland where he landed at Dublin and there lay quiet that winter In the year 1172 there fell a great Plague among the Kings souldiers in Ireland by reason of the change of the air and victuals K. cometh to Pembrock and the solemnizeth the feast of the Resurction of our B. Saviour which caused the Kings return who landed in VVales in Passion week if such a week be now remembred and remained at Pembrock on Easter day which did it not constantly fall upon Sunday would be as well forgot or at least disesteemed as the Birth-day of our most Holy and Blessed Saviour and Reedeemer For he who honours not that blessed Nativity can we think that he reverenceth his glorious Resurrection and the day following and on Tuesday took his journey towards England the Lord Rees careful to comply with the King waits his coming at Talacharn and there presents his duty Caerlheon Castle anew repaired not built by King Hen. 2. The King as he passed from Caerdiff by the new Castle upon Vsk sent for Jorwerth ap Owen ap Cadogan to come and speak with him under safe conduct for him his sons and friends meaning to conclude a peace with him and so to quiet all Wales upon these summons or message Jorwerth took his journey towards the King and sent word to Owen his son being a lusty young Gentleman to meet him by the way but as he came at his fathers command the Earl of Bristolls men by this Earl of Bristoll I know not whom Mr. Powell means Reynold Earl of Cornwal and Bristoll as Mr. Mills calls him base son of Hen. 1. for in our usual accounts of Earls Mr. Mills fol. 69. John Lord Digby of Sherborne is accounted the first of that place being created Earl of Bristoll Sept. 15. Jac. 20. but in those dayes many were stiled Earls of places as Strongbow Earl of Strigull which are not numbred in the Catalogue of Earls hearing of it came out of the now Castle of Caerlheon upon Vsk and laid wait for him by the way being under the Kings safe conduct and trusting to his promise and suddenly set upon and murthered him traiterously and cowardly A most unworthy act being unarmed and having but a few in his Company Which hard and unchristianly act when his father understood by some of his followers that escaped he was much perplexed and returned home with all his friends and his son Howell A just revenge and would never afterwards trust neither the Kings promise nor any Normans but forthwith gathered all his power and friends that he could make and without mercy destroyed all the Countrey with fire and sword to the Gates of Hereford and Glocester to avenge the death of his son Howsoever K. Henry made Lord Rees chief Justice of all South Wales by Commission Usual then as now for the Welsh to have By-blows and look upon them as sons Abergavenny Castle suprised and took his journey into Normandy In the same year died Cadwalader ap Gruffith ap Conan Prince of North Wales who had by his wife Alice daughter of Richard Clare Earl of Glocester Cunetha Radulph and Richard and by other women he had Cadvan Cadwalader Eneon Meredyth Goch and Cadwalhon Towards the end of this year Sytsilt ap Dyfnwall and Jevan ap Syrsilt ap Riryd got the Castle of Abergavenny by surprise and took the Kings Garison prisoners and the year ensuing was the fairest winter that ever was seen About this time Rees Prince of South Wales sent unto King Henry his son Howell with a goodly Company of men to serve him which much pleased the King Hol. pag. 437. who returned cordial thanks to Prince Rees If I mistake not this Prince Rees as also other Princes of South Wales bore for his Ensignes of honour Mars The Arms of P. Rees a Lyon rampant and border endented Sol incensed Jupiter In the mean time Jorwerth ap Owen brought his Forces against Caerlheon and they of the Town fought with him whom he overthrew and took many prisoners of them and wan the Town and laid siege to the Castle Caerlheons Town and Castle taken which was yielded him forthwith in exchange for prisoners Then also Howell his son brought all Gwent ît Coed the Castle onely excepted the Castle here meant by Mr. Powell I conceive was Strigull which belonged to Earl Strongbow under his obedience and took Pledges of the Inhabitants Also at that time David ap Owen Gwyneth Prince of North Wales made war against his brother Maelgon who kept the Isle of Môn or Anglesey and brought his people over Mênai for so that arm of the Sea is called which separateth that Isle from the main land and chasing his brother out of the Isle to Ireland brought all the Isle under subjection also he expelled all his brothers and cousins out of North Wales A Turkish policy and took all their lands to himself and taking his brother Maelgon as he came from Ireland detained him close prisoner Then Conan his brother died In the year 1175. The Welsh much addicted to geld their kindred Howell the son of Jorwerth ap Owen of Caerlheon took his unkle Owen Pen Carne prisoner and putting out his eyes gelded him least he should beget children to inherit Caerlheon and Gwent but God provided a punishment for him for upon the Saturday following there came a great Army of Englishmen and Normans before the Town Caerlheon taken by the English and wan it with the Castle Maugre Howell and his father who was not privy to his sons lewd deed This year also David Prince of North Wales being bold of the King affinity did imprison his own brother Roderike in bolts because he desired part of his fathers lands This year also Rees Prince of South Wales came to the Kings Court at Glocester and brought with him such Lords of South Wales as had offended the King to do him homage which pleased his Majesty exceedingly whose names were these Cadwalhon ap Madoc of Melyenyth Reeses cousin german Eneon Clyt of Eluel Eneon ap Rees of VVerthrynion which two had married two of his daughters Morgan ap Caradoc ap Jestin of Glamorgan Gruffith ap Ivor ap Meyric of Senghennyth Silsyt of higher Gwent Caerlheon restored to Jorwerth by the K. of Engl. which three had married his sisters and Jorwerth ap Owen of Caerlheon whom the King received under his protection restoring to him Caerlheon again and so they returned home well satisfied But shortly after VVilliam de Bruse Lord of Brecknock desired Silsyt ap Dyfnwall Geffry his son and a great number of the Gentry and best men of
great credit and favour between whom and the Lord Grey of Ruthin happen some discord about a piece of Commons lying between the Lordship of Ruthin and the Lordship of Glyndourdwy whereof Owen was owner and thereof took the sirname of Glindour during the reign of K. Richard Owen was too hard for the Lord Grey being then a servitour in court with K. Rich. with whom he was at the time of his taking in the castle of Flint by the Duke of Lancaster but after that K. Richard was put down the Lord Grey being now better friended then Owen entred upon the said Commons whereupon Owen having many friends and followers in his country as those that be great with princes commonly have put himself in armour against the Lord Grey whom he meeting in the field overcame and took prisoner The Welsh ever addicted to believe prophesies This was the very beginning and cause Owens rising and attempts upon the taking of the Lord Grey and spoyling of his Lordship of Ruthin many resorted to Owen from all parts of Wales some thinking that he was now as well in favour as in K. Richards time some other putting in his head that now the time was come wherein the Brittains through his means might recover again the honour and liberty of their ancestours A caveat for Mr. Pugh and such as are over credulous in prophesies These things being laid before Owen by such as were very cunning in Merlins prophesies and the interpretations of the same for there were in those dayes as I fear there be now some singular men which are deeply overseen in those mysteries and hope one day to mete velvet upon London bridge with their bowes brought him into such a fools paradice that he never considering what title he might pretend or what right he had proceeded and made war upon the Earle of March who was the the right Inheritor as well to the principality of Wales as appeareth formerly as to the Crown of England after the death of K. Rich. being descended from the elder brother next to Edw. Prince of Wales father of K. Rich. of which insurrection rebellion there ensued much mischief unto the Welshmen for the King conceiving great hatred against them shewed himself a manifest opressour of all that nation making rigorous lawes against them whereby he took in a manner all the liberties of subjects from them Cruel Lawes against the Welsh probibiting all Welshmen from purchasing lands or to be chosen or received Citizens or Burgesses in any City Burrough or market towns or to be receied or accepted to any office of Maior Bailiffe Chamberlain Constable or Keeper of the gates or of the goale or to be of the Councel of any City Burrough or Town or to bear any manner of armour within any City c. And if any suit happened between a Welshman an Englishman it was by law ordained that the Englishman should not be convict unlesse it were by the judgment of English Judges and by the verdict of the whole English Burgesses or by Inquests of English Burroughs and Towns of the signiories where the suit lay also that all Englishmen that married Welshwomen should be disfranchized of their liberty no congregation or meetings in councel was permitted to Welshmen but by licence of the chief Officers of the said signiory and in the presence of the same Officers That no victualls nor armour should be brought into Wales without the special licence of the King or his Councel That no Welshman should have any Castle Fortresse or house defensive of his own or of any other mans to keep no Welshman to be made Justice Chamberlain Chancellour Treasurer Sheriff Steward Constable of Castle Receiver Eschetor Coronor nor chief Forrester nor other Officer nor Keeper of Records nor Lieutenant in any of the said Offices in no part of Wales nor of the councel of any English Lord notwithstanding any patent or licence made to the contrary That no Englishman which in the time to come shall marry any Welshwoman be put in any Office in VVales or in the Marches of the same These with other lawes both unreasonable and unconcionable such as no prince among the Heathen ever offered to his subjects were ordained and severely executed against them Neither was it any reason that for the offence of one man his complices all the whole nation should be so persecuted whereby not only they that lived in that time but also their children and posterity should be brought to perpetual thraldom and misery A law more cruel then that Julian the Apostate for these lawes were not ordained for their Reformation but of meer purpose to work their utter ruine and destruction which doth evidently appear in that they were forbidden to keep their children at learning or to put them to be apprentises to any occupation in any Town or Burrough in this realme Let any indifferent man therefore judge and consider whether this extremity of law where Justice it self is meer injury and cruelty be not a cause and matter sufficient to withdraw any people from civility to barbarisme 〈…〉 This Hen. dyed in the 10th year of his reign leaving a son behind him being an infant of ten moneths who by reason of his tender age was not as by any word extent can be proved ever created prince but was proclaimed King immediately after the death of his father by the name of Henry the Sixt. Edward of Westminster Henry the sixt by the advice of his Lords Spiritual and Temporal given to him in his Parliament holden in the 31 year of his reign did afterwards by his charter bearing date 15 day of March 32. Regni created Edward his son born at Westminster by one and the self same patent to be both prince of Wales and Earle of Chester and invested him therein His Creation with the usual Ensignes of that dignity as had been in former time accustomed TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said dignities to him and his heirs Kings of England Sr. J. Dodridge which Charter is recited in the Act of Parliament holden at Westminster 9. Julii anno 33. regni In the which Act of Parliament is also recited another Charter likewise confirmed by the said Parliament whereby the said King did give unto the said Prince the said principality of Wales together with all the Lordships and lands Castles and Tenements by speciall names above mentioned and all in the former Charters granted and conveied to the former Princes and the said Fee Farms and Rents of 113 l. 13 s. ob out of the Lordship and Town of Buelht and the said 56l 13s 4d out of the Lordship Castle and Town of Montgomery likewise mentioned in the Charters of the former Prince To have and to hold to him and his heirs Kings of England By the same Act of Parliament also it was enacted because the said prince was then of tender years and there was assigned unto him a certain
was the Son of Traherne the Uncle of St. Helen Maximian King Trahern his Son next Heir to Constantine others say he was Son of Leolinus another Uncle of St. Helen Great Uncle to Constantine and one of them Gal. Mon. l. 5. c. 12.15 Pont. Virun lib. 5. Math. West an 390 392. Manus Anti. in vit S. Nin. Capg in eod Bal. li. de Scrip. Cent. 1. in Nin. saith Octavius was King but 14 yeares ending with the beginning of Maximian his Reigne And so we may well allow such an Octavius to have the name of a King in Brittain in those troublesome daies of the Romans ruling here divers petty Kings being probably at that time in this Nation as well by the Testimony of these Authors which then make Octavian King as others So they terme Conanus a King and that Maximian took his kingdom from him So was Dionotus King in Cornwall So was his brother Carodocus before him and yet under one chief King and Emperor Maximian at that time And St. Nimen who lived Bishop here in the end of this age had Kings for his Ancestors and yet the great distance of the place of his birth from King Coel argueth he was not of their line And all these Kings or Regents here were most certainly by our Antiquaries Chatholick Christians Constantinus After the death of Constantine the great Constantinus his eldest Son injoyed Brittain as a portion of his Dominion till making some attempts upon his brother Constans for the enlarging of it Brittish Hist fol. 239. he was by him slain Then was the Empire divided between Constans and Constantius the two younger brethren Constans seised upon the Provinces which Constantinus his brother had held and made a voyage into Brittain where Gratianus a Hungarian by birth had then charge of the Army This Gratianus was surnamed Funarius for that he being a young man was able as it is written of him to hold a Rope in his hand against the force of five Souldiers assaying to pull it from him But Constans afterwards following ill counsel the ready way to Princes ruines and giving himself over to all kind of vice was slain by Magnentius Taporus the Son of a Brittain who then invaded the Empire usurping the Government of Gallià and Brittain till after three years warr with Constantius the successor of Constans his brother finding himselfe unable any longer to uphold his greatnesse Mr. Br. fol. 548. 1. he murdered himself This Constantius in processe of time was infected with the Arian heresy but neither so as to endanger Brittain or any other Nation under his command He consented to the recalling of St. Athanasius out of exile and sometime to his continuing his dignity at Alexandrea And whether it was for the love of St. Athanasius or fear of his brother Constans writing expresly unto him in favour of St. Athanasius is uncertain he also consented to the calling of the great general Councel of Sardyce 10 or 11 years after the death of his Father as Socrates and Sozomen affirm wherein St. Athanasius was proved innocent and as he then present with many others proveth the Nicon faith was confirmed and utterly forbidden to be questioned Mr. Bro. fol. 548. Socr. l. 2. c. 16. Soz. l. 3. c. 11 12. Athan. Apol. 2 cont Arianos Divers Bishops of Brittain 5 at the least present at the Councel of Sardyce Baro. Spon an 347. Sex Ruff. Brem Rev. gest po Ro. ad Valent. And at the calling of this Councel the same renowned Doctor called this said Constantins as also his brother a known Cacholick Emperour and a Religious Prince and we are sure that at this time our Kingdome of Baittain detained the former glorious estate and glory of Religion it had before in the daies of Constantine and was still free from Arianisme For the same glorious Athanasius present in that Councel faith that amongst more than 300 Bishops assembled there which freed him and professed the Nicen faith the Bishops from the Provinces of Baittain were there And as the Roman writers testifie there were from the division of the Empire by Constantine and as many suppose before five provinces here in Brittain Maxima Caesariensis Valentia Baittannia prima Brittania secunda Flavia Caesariensis So that if we should allow but one Bishop out of every of those provinces to have been at the Sardyce Councel and there to have subscribed for the rest of Brittain their Provinces or Dioceses we must grant five Brittish Bishops to have been there and supplyed this duty and Office for the rest of Brittain That this our Country of Brittain flourished after this with great numbers of worthy Bishops no City then vacant here of such a Pastor and Rider we may gather from divers Antiquities Epist Concilii Arimini ad Const apud Socr. l. 2. Hist c. 29. Soz Hist Eccl. l. 4. c. 16. Sever sulp sacra Hist l. 2. c. 21. Lib. Notitia Epis orb Chr. sive Cod. Provin Rom. as from the Epistle of the great Councel of Ariminum in Italy not long after this time written to Constantius the Emperour where our Bishops were present testifying unto him that they were assembled there forth of all Cities towards the West most properly and significantly to be applyed to this Kingdom most West from thence And the words All Bishops out of the Western Cities cannot carry any other true construction but our Episcopal Cities in Baittain were then so furnished and many or most of them present at that Councel This is confirmed by the number of Western Bishops above 400 as Sozomen and others write assembled at Ariminum besides 160 from the East at the same time gathered together at Seleucia in Isauria when it is manifest in the old Manuscript Catalogue of Bishops that Brittain and all the Western Nations present in the Councel of Ariminum had not at that time many more than 400 Bishops Therefore we must needs grant that the Bishops of all Cities as well of Brittain as other Countries of the West which had not excuseable lets and impediments were there present in such sence as the Epistle of that Councel is cited and Severus Sulpitius is sufficient witnesse that this our Brittain in particular that it had many Bishops there for relating the number to have been above 400 out of the West And the Emperour the better to incline them to the Arian heresie as it seemeth commandeth that provision should be made for them at his cost But the Bishops of France Aquitaine and Brittain refused it and rather made choice to live at their own charges than to be maintained by the Emperour and this refusal was general to all the Bishops of Brittain Aquitaine and France except three only of Brittain which received allowance from the Emperour and refused maintenance by the other Bishops themselves being poor And the same Authors prove that our Bishops were drawn or forced to come to that Councel by the Officers of Constantius
now after his brothers death a professed friend to the Arian heresie or rather a professed Arian then reigning in Brittain maketh it evident that our Brittish Bishops which could not plead sufficient cause of excuse and absence were generally present there And it those few poor Bishops of Brittain which were not able to bear their own charges were drawn thither to be maintained by the Emperour how much rather must we judge the same of so many potent and rich in this Country which could pretend no such excuse So that we see no excuse but infirmity either by age or sicknesse to have caused any Brittish Bishops absence thence A late writer thinketh Iltutus then as he conjectureth Arch-Bishop of London the Arch-Bishops of York and Gaerleon the Bishops of Winchester Harris Eccles Hist Tom. 4. c. 24. Chichester and Glocester with others were there I see no particular warrant he bringeth more for those than any other of so many Episcopal Brittish Cities of that time which I have before remembred all of them being in the same condition for presence or absence but where just excuses and lets were singular to any in particular above the rest For good Authors have Testified that all in general were urged to be there without any exception or to be exempted And almost all Bishops in the world were then caused to be either at Ariminum in Italy where those of the West were Sulpi Sever. Sacr. histor l. 2. Epist Conc. Arim. ad Con. apud Theod. l. 2. Hist c. 19. Mr. Bro. fol. 552. Epist Arimin Conc. ad Constan Imp. apud Theod. l. 2. c. 20. alios or at Seleucia appointed for the Easterne Bishops and the command was for all Bishops generally to be there this was the Emperors command to the Presidents of the Provinces to compel all to be present And the Councel of Ariminum it self in the Epistle to Constantius the Arian Emperour testifieth plainly that all the Bishops of the West were there assembled The far greater part of these were Catholick Bishops and of the whole number about 400. There was not by Severus Sulpilius his relation above 80. Arians St. Athanasius saith there were 50 and more and St. Ambrose witnesseth that the greatest part of the Bishops there confirmed the faith of the Nicene Councel and condemned the Arian errors This is testified by the same Councel in two several Epistles to the Emperor that they neither could nor would swerve from the doctrine of the Nicene Councell And although the Emperour both by his Epistle to that Councel and otherwise by fraud and terrours endeavoured for to remove them from that holy minde and communicate with the Arians they plainly wrote answer again constantly averring they would change nothing they had decreed and gave their Legates charge to tell him as much in words And to make it manifest that although by many Writers divers of the Bishops being convented and overcome both with the deceit of the Arians and persecution of the Emperour did afterward subscribe to a material error our Bishops of Brittain were free both from imputation and suspition thereof Socrates Sozomen Nicephorus and others prove that the Emperour neglecting to return answer to the second absolute resolution and Epistle the Councel staying some time for answer and having none they all departed to their countries and Sees Hil. li. contra Arian Argent Socrat. Hist Ecoles l. 2. c. 29 41. Sozom Hist l. 4. c. 18. and wholely dissolved the Councel St. Hillary saith plainly this Councel endeth Religiously by all So our Bishops must remove from Ariminum none being returned home or so far from recalling by any new edict or stratagen of the Emperour then of Constantinople very far from Ariminum and further from our Bishops travel into Brittain they could be none of that number which were circumvented or verified to subscribe to the wicked Emperour and his Arian favourites designes This persecution of Vrsatius by the command of Constantius the Emperour stretched not so far as Brittain his malice and indignation being against Liberius Pope of Rome and the Bishops of Italy And our Historians have made it doubtful whether Constantius had so much power in Brittain after this time to execute such cruelty This Constantius was at the time of his death by Sozomen about 45 years old full 45 saith Socrates besides the time he reigned with his Father after his death Sozom. Hist Eccle. l. 5. c. 1. Socrat. l. 2. c. 37 say Socrates Sozomen and Nicephorus he was Emperour 25 yeares he died on the third day of the Nones of November by Nicephorus his account in the 367. year of Christ some set down his death somwhat sooner Baron Spo. Annal. Tom. 4. as they have done his Fathers before above 25 yeares sooner than this account of Nicephorus of the year of Christ 367. for Constantius his death yet grant he was Emperour 25. years after his Father died About this time Martinus an aged man was made Deputy of Brittain when Paulus a Spaniard surnamed Catena a name well sorting with his nature was sent thither as a Commissioner to enquire of such as had conspired with Magnentius Brittish Hist l. 3. fol. 140. But under colour of his authority he called in question such as were not faulty either upon false information or private displeasure and sometimes to make a gain of those that were accused which course Martinus the Deputy mislikeing intreated him that such as had been no actors in Rebellion might be no partners in punshment with offenders Whereupon Paulus discharging the Deputy himself as a favourer of Traytors and privy to the conspiracy did so far forth incense Martinus that being either impatient of reproaches or perhaps not altogether guiltlesse he struck at Paulus with his Sword intending to have killed him but failing in the execution he presently thrust the Sword into his own body Gratianus Funarius though he were not specially bound by oath to the Emperor as some others had been yet for that he had received Magnentius into his house was adjudged to forfeit all his goods the rest of the accused persons being fettered and presented to the Emperor he condemned some to death and some to exile Julianus Now was the Government of Gallia and Brittain assigned to Julianus afterwards called the Apostata whom Constantius had made Caesar Brittish Hist l. 3 fol. 141. Lupicinus Master of the Armour to the Emperor a good Souldier but notorious for his pride covetousnesse and cruelty and after him Alipius were sent into Brittain to represse the Inhabitants that had invaded the Province there whilst Julianus himself remained in Gallia not daring to passe into the Isle both for that he feared the Gaules who were ready upon the least occasion to revolt and also doubted the Almanes who were then up in Armes Mr. Bro. fol. 562. Constantius the last over-living Son of Constantine being dead Julianus brother to Gallus and Son to