the posteritie in time to come myght not handle mine Authoritie or allegation in a worse manner At Glastenbury vppon the Tombe of Lydias Marble or Touchstone Artyficially engrauen and erected for Arthure and also for Guenhera these two little verses sauoring of that his time are written in this manner Hic iacet Arturi coniux tumulata secunda Quae meruit coelos Virtutum prole faecunda The second wife of Arthure heere entomed lo doth ly Who for the fruites of Vertuous life deserued the heauens on hye THere bee which say that Henry Suynesius Abbot of Glastenbury was the composer of these verses Except any man thinke that Henry Blesensis alias Soliacensis chaunged his name into Suynesius in whose time the bones and ashes both of Arthure and also of Guenhera were founde But what Giraldus Henricus do meane by the name of Second wise truly I doe not sufficiently vnderstand For so much as I caÌ„ remeÌ„ber I haue neither hard of the name nor memorie of a second wife vntill this day But let credite remaine with Authors by the latter part of the second litle verse VirtutuÌ„ prole faecuÌ„da it appeareth y â— Guenhera was more vertuous theÌ„ apt to beare children Neither am I ignoraÌ„t what Boetius writeth here that in times past there was a sharp battle fought betweene Arthure and Mordred at the riuer of HuÌ„ber and y t Guenhera being eueÌ„ there caried away of y e Picts into their tents afterwards died and was buried at Horestia in the streete Angusia But I leaue Hector to the reporte of VeremuÌ„dus Turgotus those obscure writers And it might so bee that the Tombe was there erected for another Guenhera not Queene CHAP. XV. K. Arthures Tombe found WHen the Saxones powre grewe to some force after Arthures death that the Picts Scots by and by were put to flight chased away beyond the vale of Seuerne The same Saxones began not so much to feare and much lesse to esteeme of but rather openly to set at nought the remnauntes of those vanquished Brittaines Wherefore the glory of them beganne to floorish but of the Brittaines to decrease and fade away Yet so as the Saxones left almost nothing touching affaires passed betweene them and the Brittaines at that time perfectly written for the posterytie For those thinges which were written after Christ was knowne vnto them concerning the first victories of the Saxones are deliuered by the reportes of the common people so receiued and in writinges so committed or els the Brittaines being vtterly worne away by so many battles bestowed scarce any iust or right dilligence in writing of the historie Only there are extant certaine fragments of Gildas the Moncke of the City Bangor rather flaying aliue dismembring and wounding to death the Brittaines then allowing them with any value of vertue so farre foorth as he seemeth a Rethorician thorowly moued to make euyll reporte By this meanes were the affaires of Brittaine through calamitie of battles left obscure or vnrebayled The historicall singers only studied to preserue also with musicall meanes the famous memorie of Nobles in those daies They sung the famous facts of noble personages vpoÌ„ the harp This studie or practise wonderfully profited knowledge as it were deliuered by hand vnto posterity Whereupon in deede it so commeth heere to passe also that the name fame and glory of Arthure might so be preserued after a sorte O factum bene Si quid mea Carmina possunt Aonio statuam sublimes vertice Bardos Bardos Pieridum cultores atque canentis Phoebi delitias quibus est data cura perennis Dicere nobilium clarissima facta virorum Aureaque excelsam famam super astra locare The English O well done If any thing my verses may auayle These statelie singers then aduance Will I That high Parnassus mount for to assaile As singers honouring the Muses friendes duly And Phoebus his delightes singing sweetly The famous actes of noble men to blase And stately fame I'th golden heauens to place WIlliam A Norman had conquered the Nation of Englishmen by permission of God and now came the kingdome of England vnto Henry the second of that name Nephew by Matildes the daughter of Henry Beauclercke and the Sonne of Geoffry Plantagenet Duke of Gaunt This man endeuoring by all meanes to enlarge the limittes of his kingdome applyed also his minde vnto the kingdome of Ireland Richard of Clare Erle of Chepstowe so called by reason of the wanderinge Riuer a man both most noble by birth fortune and vertue went into Ireland beeing before requested of Deronutius the ruler of Lagenia so to do in which expedition hee behaued him selfe so valiantly that they being cast out by heapes put to flight and vanquished which withstood the Ruler he purchased him selfe fame an immortall glory and if this also might any thing auaile to the purpose he obtayned besides greate riches vnto him selfe thereby taking to wife Eua the daughter of Deronicius and heire by right nougth King Henry had vnderstanding of the successe of Richard the Erle of Chepestowe and whether he enuyed his glory or which is most like that hee earnestly sought the pray of this rich kingdome hee forbad this Richard in the meane time to â—eare rule in Ireland not disdayning yet to proffer him reward He being wise fully knowing the Princes purpose gaue place vnto this right In the meane season Henry hauing prepared no small part of an Hoast came into Cambria or Wales and purposing there to appoynt the residue he theÌ„ce straight sayled from Menenia or Sanct Dauids into Ireland with hope of which kingdome to obtaine hee burned as hote as fire Whiles he busieth him selfe here aboutes being for his worthinesse as befitted receyued of the Gouernoures of Wales at hâ—s banquettes there vsing an Interpreter he gaue eare not with out pleasure vnto the historicall singers which singe to the Harpe famous actes of noble men Truly there was one amongst the rest most skilfull in knowledge of Antiquitie He so sunge the praises and noble actes of Arthure comparing Henry with him as Conquerour in time to come for many respectes that hee both wonderfully pleased also delighted the Kinges eares at what time also y â— King learned this thing especially of the historical singer that Arthure was buried at Aualonia in the religiouse place Whereupon sending away the saide singer as witnesse of such a monument most liberally rewarded he had conference with Henricus Blesensis alîas Soliacensis his nephew who euen then or a litle after was made of an Abbot in the Isle of Bermundsege cheife Magistrate ouer Glastenbury that he might with most exquisite diligeÌ„ce search out thorowly the Tombe or burying place of Arthure within the compasse of that religiouse house It was assayed by him other whiles and at length founde out with greate difficulty in the last dayes as some
of K. Arth. Seale and the InscriptioÌ„ therof K. Arthures maiestie represented on the seale Nota. The seale one of the ornaments which were about â— tombe of K. Edwarde the simple It was translated from Glastenbury to Westminster He meaneth either y e recordes there as Chronica Glessobur gensia either els Patricius â—lesioburgensis Patricius wheÌ„ce it hath originall Patres Patricij why so called From whence the name of Arthure was first deriued Anno Christo nato 44. Peroâ—â—s in Corâ—ucopia nameth her a Nimph one of Iupiters noces Bowes vsed for triumphes at Rome Arthure aptly called Emperour Mordred meetes him The armies of them both ensamped K. Arthures noble Oration vnto his souldiours subiectes going to fight against Mordred and his company Nota. Their first 〈…〉 in Kent Sir Gallouinuâ— his charge Sir Augusâ—llus his charge The apparant promptitude of king Arth. his souldiours His victory Two of his Cheualiers or knightes shine Mordredes preparation against king Arthure the second time Nota. Arthures secoÌ„d battle with Mordred and the place where Graius a writer in the fauour of Arthure M. Cambden M. Cambden Mordred slâ—â—ne outright K. Arthure receiued his deaths wound yet had the victorie Auncient Arthors as Poets Historiographers writing in commendation of K. Arthure Chrisistoriographus Isâ—â—â— Siluester Giraldus his testimony of K. Arthure 〈…〉 Trittemâ—us his testimony who was famouse Anno. 1484. Trittemius his wordes in coÌ„mendation of king Arthure Volateranus Iacobus Philippus Bergomas Nauclerus his testimony Hector Boaetius a Scottish writer Hector Boaenus his commendation of K. Arthure Polidorus Virgillius a corrupt witnesse of King Arthures worthinesse Bookes printed of Arthure in forraine languageâ— Siluester Giâ—aldus in his Itenerario touching Brecknocke Cair Arthure or Arthures Castle K. Arthures Chaire of State Baldwinum aliâ—s Mountgomery King Arthures Gate there Gentlemen of Wales praise worthie in praysing their Prince studiously addicted King Arthure sirnamed Arthure the great Diffinition of Aualonia the place where King Arthure was buried Geoffâ—y of Monmouth his testimony â—hereo Melchinus Siluester Giraldus Patricius all 3. witnesses of Avalonia Alias Ciuitas â—â—trina nunc Glastenbury Supposed rather to be 〈…〉 Fâ—gaâ—tis and Dirâ—aianus Vt ante dixi Fagaunt Diruuianus W. of Malmesburie his testimony Siluester Giraldus his testimony and explanation of Glastenburie Writers of Brittaine affirming where Arthure died The Brittaines sorowfull for the death of K. Arthure Merlinus Caledonius a writer his verses of K. Arthures death Morgan a faithfull friend and true subiect vnto Arthure Morgans wife made prouisioÌ„ for Arthures buriall Brittannicae Historiae Interpres testimonium dat de morte Arthurii Iohannes Burgensis testimoniuÌ„ de eodem Aualonia coÌ„mended by 3. writers viz. Mâ—lchinus Malmsbury Giraldus Burying placeâ— how and â—or whom in those dayes Ceremonies vsed at King Arthure his buriall Morgans noble wife alone prouided for Kinge Arthures buriall How he was interred in the earth Monumentes of him This was set vp in places where enemies were vanquished by the Emperour In tempo re regni 〈◊〉 Reg. â— Within the burying place were set vp â— 3. Pyrameds Auncient writers commending the same King Arthures Tombe where it was erected The meaning and discription of those two Pyramedeâ— Tabulatus Note the blindnesse of that time in preferring a Bishop before a king Where the Lady Guenhera was brought vp Her descriptioÌ„ Beautie Chastitie seldom agree inuiolably Anonimus A writers testimonie touching Guenhera Sir Lancelot knight a friend of Guenheraâ— after her death Nota. where she was buried Siluester Giraldus his testimony both of Arthure of Guenheraes dead corpses De Soliaco Arthures and Guenheras Tombe ercted at Glastenbury Her Epitaph Nota. How Guenhera was stolne away of the Pictes After Arthures death the Saxons florished but the Brittaines perished Saxones were negligent in the fame of Britones their posteritie Iohn Stowe Bardi were such as sung to the harpe the famous factes of noble personages Anno. 〈◊〉 a Christo natâ— 1154. Regni Anno. 1. 1154. Regni Anno. 1. Giraldus Câ—â—â—brensis calleth him Richard Strongbowâ— Earle of Câ—â—pstow Iohn stow 1157. Regni Anno. 3. Iohn stow King Henry the second for his valiancy compared to K. Arthure and was inquisitiue after his monument King Arthures Tombe found Anno Ric. Regis 1. Siluester Giraldus Mâ—lmsbury The place where King Arthure his Tombe was found at that time and the manner therof Nota His inscription the subtile deuise of the Workmen in those dayes Siluester Giraldus his testimonie of Arthure his Tombe fouÌ„d A wise pollycy of workmeÌ„ in those dayes The largnesse of K. Arthures Lineaments Nota. Ten woundes discerned in his scalp A relation to a further testimony of Giraldus in Speculo Ecclesiasticâ— yet parly doubted Alder trees in Aualony Where Giraldus affirmeth K. Arthures Tombe to be found viz. betweene two Pyrameds at Aualonia alias Glastenbury A doubt Malmesbury Iohn Leylands insertion of famous men for proofe of Arthures Tombe found Claudius a Frenchman Anno Domini 1190. Persoâ—ana Iohn Stow. Anno Domini 1191. By what câ—aunce Arthures Tombe was founde as Matthew Pariâ— saith which 〈◊〉 Iohn Leylan de affirmeâ— he neuer heard of to be true Ranulphus Higeden of Chester mentioneth of Arthures Tombe Arthures bones ashes translated into the greate Church at Glastenbury The remoâ—ing of them into the midle Iles of the Queare The third translatioÌ„ of King Arthure in the dayes of King Edward sirnamed the long alias the first of that name The same King and his wife viz. King Arthures Tombe King Edward the first and Queene Elâ—anor his wife behold King Arthurâ— Image the Quenes his wife with their inscriptions Their coÌ„mandement made for preserâ—atioÌ„ of the Lyniamentes of K. Arthure his Queene entombed for continuall reseruation of theire memoriaâ— William Paruus an enemy of K. Arthures fame Iohn LeylaÌ„des pention to the friendly Readers Writers varying what time K. Arthure liued Valerius Hector Boetius Paulus Diaconus Gildas a fable◠〈◊〉 Gildas an vnthankefull person reprochfull towardes his countrie of Brittaine Siluester Giraldus promised to confute the slanders of Gildas Nota. Siluester Giraldus his praise of the Brittaines Anno. ante Christ. natiuiâ— 50. An. ante Christ. natiuitat 401. Post Christum 107. Brittaines alwaies approued valiant persons enâ— in Arthure his time An. 140. Isâ—ae Laâ—des veterâ— Heroum Regis Arthuriâ— praecipue The praises of ancient Potentates amoÌ„gest them of K. Arthure especially Gildas his former dispraise of the Bâ—ittaines here ouermastered with praise worthiness Ponticus 〈◊〉 an Italian commeÌ„ding the Brittaines Lucanus Iohannes Anneuillanus in Architrenio also commending the Brittaines Romanes carefull for their owne fame but negligent in all other mens Honour vnto learning in times past rare Most puysant Personages haue beene parcyally praysed in truth Graius the Authour of that booke Schalecronicâ— had much a doe with sucâ— backbiters Beda more religiously then Historically addicted Nota The tyranny of the Romish Bishop betwene the Saxons and Brittaines of olde time William Parâ—us 〈◊〉 â—â—under of Arthure Monacus Monaco Iâ—uidet Vixit Alfredus circiter annum 842. post 28. ann Iscanus Iscae Iohn Stow. 3. Bishops Sees London Yeorcke and Caâ—tlegion vpon Huske in Walles
64. vers 3. 4. 76. vers 3. 91. vers 5. 127. vers 4. 5. Finally in his 147. Psal. vers 6. Praying to God for deliuerance from his enemies and for their destruction He saith shoot thine arrowes and consume them So yet that He neither trusted in bowe nor sworde but in the power of God Hee affirmeth it Psalme 44. vers 6. And to conclude that he had rather liue in a godly peace theÌ„ to warre against the wicked he saith in the 119. Psal. vers 15. As at a marke he will ayme to walke in the wayes of the Lord. Of this minde was not King â—osias who though leading a godly life at home in Iuda yet going vniustly to fight against Nichao King of Egipt was rather friendly dehorted by him froÌ„ his purpose then otherwise saying Leaue off to worke agaynst the Lord which is with mee least he do â—tay thee which admonition Iosias not regarding as spoken from God tasted in deed of Gods iust iudgment for being shot thorow with arrowes he was wouÌ„ded to the death incontinently I could at large here call to minde the commendation of this peaceable practise of shooting which once I as a rawe scholler reade ouer in Toxophilus and at times by tasked lessons interpreted in latine here and there but for breuitie I refer your honours and worshipes vnto the Histories there of the Ethiopian king and Cambyses king of Persia. Of Sesostris and his archers Of the Messagetanes which neuer went without their bowe and quiuer neyther in peace nor in warres Of Policrates and his one thowsand archers Of the Scithians whose whole substance and riches of a man being a yoake of Oxen and a plow a Nagge and his dogge his bowe and his quiuer were inuincible against Darius and other Monarckes To be short the Grecians Persians Athenians and the Romanes whose shooting in peace and warres was worthie of praise and fame Neyther here ought I nor will I omit with silence the deserued fame of our Ancestors in fauouringe this exercise in this our litle England long agoâ—e liuing and of latter time though breefly referring your honours worshippes vnto the histories at large as of Brute and his Troianes the first Brittaines before and after the ariuall of Iulius Caesar Claudius Vespasian Emperoures and they Romanes after them the Saxons vntill the time of Vortiger the vsurping murtherer who Gods prouidence so working for them and his iudgement vpon him by the two Brethern and valiant Brittaines Aurelius sirnamed Ambrose Vther Pendragon being burned in his Castell in Wales was occasion of the Brittaines more happier estate afterwardes But here yet by the way Right honourable and worshipfull as I applaude in this their well doing so it had beene a thing of Brittaine most worthelie to be wished for that Prince him selfe lesse opprobrius of all meÌ„ more praise worthie and most pretiouse in the sight of God if the serpent Tyrus had wanted here his vennime vncurable though his flesh proued medicinable against all other poysons as saith Cardanus in his booke of Comfort I meane if Vther Pendragon had wanted that serpentine poyson of adulterie Nigromancie murther things odible to God and good men when that most incomperable King Arthure of great Brittaine for his princely prowesse valiant vertues and triumphant victories yet prooued more Royally renoumed throughoute all the worlde in his time and to his posteritie The Hebrwes with greate and not vndeserued titles extolled their Iudas Maccabeus Homer the glory of all Greeke Poets left Hector and Achilles most commendable vnto the worlde Neyther by lesse diligence did the Grecians adorne with praise Alexander the most mightie conquerour And the Romanes aduanced the noble actes of their Caesar to the Skyes not enough The Burgonians profoundly praised Godfrey of Bulloyn for his noble valiancy as the scourge of the Sarazens in his dayes And as euery one of those are commended with due desert so in like maÌ„ner there were neuer Brittaines wanting of excellent learning and exquisite knowledge to leaue with carefull diligence and credible commendation the progenie life prowesse prosperitie and triumphant victories of our said auncient Arthure worthely published vnto the worlde And as Alexander would haue none to purtract him but Apelles nor any but Lysippus to engraue him in brasâ—e nor any but Pyrgotiles to worke him in pretiouse stone So where in not three but many Artizans as learned Gildas William of Malmsbury Nennius Diuionenses Graius Iosephus Geoffrey of Munmuth Siluester Giraldus c. performed their worthie workmanshippes in our Arthure Maur to vse the Brittaine phrase euen one English Leyland for his learned laboure laudable hath perfectly polished him in all poyntes Chusing a cheefe most perspicuouse a valiant most victoriouse a couragiouse and most conquerouse a religiouse and most redoubted Royall soueraigne King Henry the eight as sole supreme Patron and protector thereof against the cankered currish kinde of caueling carpers Bycause his elder brother being named Arthure he him selfe a most christian King for all heroicall vertues commendable the rather seemed to fauour and further the aduancement of the fame of his most renoumed auncestor this same our ancient Arthure and the knightly traine of his rounde table Hereupon by patent of his princely prerogatiue ordayned graunted and confirmed hee vnto this honorable Citie of London free electioÌ„ of a Chieftaine and of Citizens representing the memory of that magnificent King Arthure and the Knightes of the same order which should for the mayntenance of shooting onely meete together once a yeare with solemne and friendly celebration therof So much in his noble minde preuayled all prouident care of princely prowesse valiancie cheualrie and actiuitie that he not onely herein imitated the examplers of godly K. Dauid for his Israelites as before and of that noble Emperour Leo in ouerthrowing idolatrie and exalting archerie maugre the mallice of that Romane Antichrist and all his members but also inuincibly maintayned the praiseworthie practize of this shooting in peace wars by the examples of his princly progenitors As after tâ—e conquest of K. Henry II. alîas Beauclerck so sirnamed the first furtherer of K. Arthures benificencie valiaÌ„t Edward sirnamed long first vizitor of the saide Kinges tombe valiant and victorius Edward III IIII. bountious and liberall Richard II. good and gratiouse Henry the V. wise poâ—itique iust temperate and graue King Henry the Vâ—I his father Neither hath this ceased in the branch that flourished in the bole but by the milde religiouse and gratiouse King Edwarde the VI. and now last of all by the Phenix of feminine sex our most redoubted Hester and gratiouse soueraigne Ladie Queene Elizabeth laudably lasteth in force and effect whose highnesse so many yeares humbling not exalting her selfe the more by reason of her power wholy setteth her subiectes in peace preferring the same Now therefore Right honourable and worshipfull as duetie bindeth euery degree to further the
vnto sound argumentes and relation of auncient writers proueth that Arthures Tombe was in times past eyther erected betwene the two Pyrameds or in a place not far distant from them Of Giraldus we wil say more in the Tombe of Arthure found In the meane time I wil herevnto annex the discription of the Pyrameds artificially purtrayed out by the very pencilles of the same Gulielmus as it were in a plaine table to the eyes of the beholders And where as that no doubte is vnknowne vnto all men I would willingly publish it if I could possibly expresse the truth what those Pyrameds do meane which being erected in a litle space from the olde Church do after a sorte include the Churchyarde of those religiouse persons Undoubtedly the more statelyer larger and nearer Pyramed vnto the Church hath fyue storyes height or flooers boorded is in height 26. foote This although it foreshewed some decay by reason of y e too much oldnesse yet hath it a few apparant spectacles of Antiquitie which may be plainely reade although they can not fully be vnderstode For in the vpper story or floore boorde is made an image in likenesse of a Bishoppe In the second is an Image expressing a Kingly state and letters Her Sex Bliswerh In the third neuerthelesse are names Wem Creste Bantomp Winewegn In the fourth Hate Wulfredi Franflede In the fifte and which is the lowest an image and this writing Logwor Weslielas Bregdene Swellwes Huyrgendes berne But the other Pyramed hath 18. foote height and foure storyes or flooers boorded wherein these wordes are reade Hedde Episcopus Bregorred Beorwalde What these may signifie I do not rashly define but I gather by suspition that within or about the same place are laide in hollow stones the bones of them whose names are reade on the outside Surele Logwor for certaine is affirmed to be the person by reason of whose name Logweres Beorh was so called which is now called Montacute Beorwalde neuerthelesse was Abbot after Hemgiselus These saith Meildunensis vnto whom the learned ought to referre these Pyrameds as from him by all meanes borowed and most famously set forth Now y e lady Guenhera offereth her selfe to be ioyned w t Aâ—hure her Husband CAP. XIIII What manner Person Guenhera was I Haue easely beleeued that Guenhera was descended out of the progeny of the Dukes of Cornwale both leaninge vnto other argumentes and also for this cause specially that the History of Brittaine makes mention y t she was brought vp in y e Pallas of Cadorus â—uke of Cornwale also from hence taken vnto wiâ—e by Arthure The coniecture is and that not altogether vncertaine this name of Guenhera soundeth in the Brittish language the same that Bella Dona doth in the Italian in freÌ„ch Belle Dame no doubt the name was giuen for some fame as Guenllean that is White or fayre Leonora or of coniecture Helena so as y e worde White may signifie faire beautifull or amiable â—ut as it is sufficiently apparant y e she was beautifull so it is a thing doubted whether she was chaste yea or no. Truly so far as I can with honestie I would spare the impayred honor and fame of noble womeÌ„ But yet the truth of y e historie pluckes me by the eare willeth not onely but commandeth me to declare what the Ancients haue deemed of her To wrestle or contend with so greate authoritie were in deede vnto me a controuersie and that greate The historie of Brittaine affirmeth that she had not onely carnall knowledge of Mordred the Pict but also that she was ioyned to him in mariage O mischiefe O lewd life O filthy dayes The writer of the historie of Gildas is in deede an Auncient Author but in mine exemplar that same Anonymus declareth these things of Guenhera the adultresse Arthure in despite of Mâ—lua the ruler beseeged the fenny countries neare vnto Glesconia which noble man had defiled Guenhera being stolne away and caried thether This testimonie as touching a Queene though hee say she was stolne away is scarce honourable Women of such beauty are now and then stolne away by their owne good will Howsoeuer it was most assured is this that she liued no long time after the Death of her Husband and the Adulterer But whether through any disease of the bodie or with vnfayned sorrowe she dyed which I doe sooner beleeue it appeareth not playnely Writers make mention that the beeing mooued with repentance did put vpoÌ„ her a holy Veyle at Ambrosia and that there she dyed and was also there buried vntill both the dilligence and also Godlinesse of Sir Lancelot the most courteous and most inuincible knight had translated the bones and ashes afterwardes vnto Aualonia Heere aryseth a doubt against the suspition of this Adulterie Whether so notable a Louer or friend of Arthure and the same a reuerencer of his royaltie had coÌ„mitted such a fact that hee woulde burie the Adultresse in the most Religiouse place so neare her husbaÌ„ds graue in the earth The history of the cloister at GlasteÌ„bury which was dilligeÌ„tly collected fully sheweth that Guenhera was buried in the religious place neare her husbandes Tombe and that her bones and ashes were found the same time that her husbandes were Siluester Giraldus MeneneÌ„sis coÌ„firmeth this in his booke De Institutione Principis speaking of Arthure in theâ—e wordes For hee had two wiues whereof in deede the last was buryed with him and her bones founde at one time with her husbandes bones so yet separated that the two parts of the graue towardes the head namely which should containe the bones of her husband had beene ascribed vnto him But the third part at the feete coÌ„tained the bones of a woman vpwardes Where as also a yeallow locke of a womaÌ„s haire with the former integrity coulour was fouÌ„d which as a certaine Moncke desirously caught vp in his hand lifted it vp it altogether streightway perished into dust or pouder The same Giraldus recyteth such like matters in his booke intituled Speculo Ecclesiastico Hee doubtlesse might well with some authority speake concerning this geare for so much as euen then he beeing established in the fauour of K. Kichard coeur de Lion king of England came the very same time that the Sepulchre was found at Glastenbury and as an eye witnes by coÌ„duction of Henry de Soliaco nephew vnto K. Henry by Adela and cosen germaine of K. Richard beeing the president of Glastenburie but afterwardes Bishop of Winchester learned full and whole all thinges which vnto Arthure appertained Yet notwithstanding if it were lawfull for me heere to speake all thinges which I thinke I would surely affirme that those thinges are of farre better credite which are delyuered vs of Arthures buryall then of Guenheras And yet woulde I not doe any iniurie vnto the Authorytie of Auncyent wryters that euen
times past there was on y e sea shoare a Castle called Galouine touching which the Authour Mâ—ildunensis as aboue hath written whose footesteppes are as yet apparant But that was not the habitation of the Gyant as neyther perhappes of that Galouine of Arthures but of some latter vycegerent bearing the same name But y â— which he meÌ„tioneth of Arthures Tombe at that time is most true No one man more curiously searched forth at any time all the treasures of the library at Glastenbury This onely was here wanting in him towardes knowledge that he dying about the first yeare of the Raigne of Henry y â— second King of England knew nothing of Arthurs tombe For so much as y â— same tombe was found afterwards in y e beginning of y â— raigne of K. Richard coeurde lyon But I returne w t William Meildunensis into fauâ—ur out of the which as yet I haue not openly fallen By whome a man as in his age most learned in all kind of Good letters and of singuler wit diligence and care in searching forth Antiquitie I confesse and in deede that franckly must aâ—â—irme my selfe to haue beene oftentimes helped in the knowledge of Antiquitie Undoubtedly it is a poynte of honestie to acknowledge by whom a man profiteth It liketh me well here vnto the conclusion to adde the notation which I my selfe gather of the name of Gallouinus out of the Brittish language Walle signifieth straungers or walsh Guin Album or white Like as if a man by this phrase would dedescribe a comely elegant and beawtifull personage except a man more rightly thinke that he tooke his originall from the Saxonish rude language as Walwine signifieth Gallus Amicus Leoflwyn Charus Amicus and Aldwyne Vetus Amicus Now approcheth Augusellus of whom we haue aboue spoken a fewe wordes Who was in so feruent fauour with Arthure that hee was deseruingly made a beneficiall Gouernour ouer the Scottes This man â—endered like for like Being sent for amongst many other Princes to the end he might performe him selfe a companion with Arthure in his expedition towardes Fraunce so â—arre refused hee not his enioyned charge that with greate example of valiancie there manifested and retorning home on the Coast of Richborow with much more prowesse Mordred beinge ouercome in ciuil wars and there put to flight he falling amoÌ„gst the Hoastes with bloud lyfe endaungered valiantly behaued himselfe as y â— Authour of those bookes Schalechronica one Grayius as I suppose is none euil witnesse at al thereof And because touching the chusing out or election of those Princes vnto Arthure being obedient we haue formerly made promise it auaileth here to signifie that there were many notable elections not spoken of by him But that was most notable of all which appeared in Isca or Exceter otherwise in the Cittie of Caerlegion or Chester vpon Vske What time it was proclamed vnto wars against y e French But what haue the Muses to do with Mars vndoubtedly either little or nothing And yet if there were a iust familiaritie betweene them they shoulde rather wish well vnto Mars that for his sake they might deseruingly giue Arthure greate thankes who either restored or instituted a Learned Quier of Ecclesiasticall persons in the saide cittie of Caerlegion if Geoffrey of Munmouth Iohn Burgensis and Rossus Verouicensis declare the trueth This in meane time appeareth plaine by the historie of Anonimus the writer that Amphibalus Iulius Aarona martyres did worship Christ and also had learning in estimation in the saide cittie of Caerlegion or Chester vpon Vske From whome agayne credible it is that others receiued the same letters froÌ„ hand to hande There is also if we may beleeue credible reporte in the treasuries at Cambridge at this daye a Table of the priuiledge by Arthure sometime confirmed to the furderaÌ„ce of studeÌ„ts But as yet haue I not searched out the credite of this deede Iderus sometime a speciall fauourer of K. Arthures court comes nowe to the number of those Cheualyers This man beeing neare alyed in blood vnto Arthure performed many valyant examples of prowesse and continually did cleaue to his Princes side And at length by what hap I knowe not hee dying left a speciall welwishing vnto Arthure who also carefully accomplished his funerall at Aualonia I haue reade at Glastenburie a little booke of the antiquitie thereof gathered very dilligently by a certaine Moncke of that place In which booke he declareth many thinges of Arthures good will towardes this man departed and of y â— liberalitie or beneficiall goodnesse for y â— same his cosens sake bestowed vpon religious persons there inhabiting Of late there did hang a Table at a pillor within y â— Church of Glastenburie which accouÌ„ted Iderus amongst the Benefactors and restorers of the Church at Glastenburie Lancelot a man most famous requireth place euen amongest y â— most excellent Cheualyers to be giuen him Unto which desire I easilie graunt as one readie to speake this in his commendation that hee was a certaine vpright and faithfull friende of Arthures His valiancy appeared largely at y â— battle which was fought betweene Mordred the traytor and Arthure He liued in deede after the battle as I reade once or twice conueyed vnto Guenhera mourning at Arthures death the bodie from Ambersburie vnto Glastenburie But Gyraldus seemeth sincerely to attribute his buriall in one place or other at GlastÌ„bury as in his Speculo Ecclesiastico in his worke De Institutione Principis appeareth Although it rather seemeth to me in mine opinion y â— he tooke his firste tombe at Ambersburie Caradocus a name of noble prowesse martiall followed Arthure in his expedition towardes Fraunce And returning homewarde was slaine as it seemeth on the coast of Richborowe in the ciuill battle The Cronicles of the porte of Dorcester a worke sauouring of antiquitie makes mention of Caradocus The inhabitants of the Castle there euen at this day after a sorte renewe the memorie of Caradocus affirming that they haue in their Custodie I knowe not what Lyneamentes of his And not so contented they sette foorth Arthures Courte and Guenheras lodging Nowe ruffleth in the number and traine of Arthures noble warriours But I so y â— it be done without offence to them because I haue onely taken vpon me to name the most excellentest of them and to praise them haue purposed to ouerpasse the residue yet otherwise praise worthie and last of all to adioyne that Cadorus of Cornewale Hee was of the most noble progeny of the kinges of Brittaine and gouerned the people in the Mountayny soyles of Cornewale Undoubtedly he was a stoute defender of his princes dignitie and had perpetuall familiaritie with the Brittaines At length when hee dyed hee left after him a sonne named Constantine who after the Death of Arthure was made Ruler ouer Brittaine Hee to the ende they following
their fathers example in times pasâ—e shoulde not aspyre vnto the kingedome caused the sonnes and Supporters of Mordred the traytor and Nephewes of Gallouinus to be slaine with the sworde But either this fact or the like doth Gildas the Brittaine shewe in these wordes Of which so wicked a mischiefe Constantine the Tyrants vncleane whelpe of Damonia was not ignorant who this yeere after y â— horrible oth made from which he againe swarued that he would not worke any iniuries vnto the Citizens swearing first by God then by the mother of Christ and therwith taking all the companies of holy ones to witnesse did notwithstanding by blooddie sword and speare rush into the tender brests of two mothers and cruelly perced the bowelles or intrayles of two princelie youthes vnder y â— same religious Amphibalus of so many ouerseers euen standing at y â— very Altâ—r whose armes being without armour which no one man at y â— time more valiaÌ„tlier vsed then they hee cruelly cut off euen standing at the Alter and with his Speare violently teare them in peeces But they shall crie for reuenge vnto God before the high throne of his Maiestie in the day of iudgement and at the Gates of thy city Oh Christ shall they hange vp their reuerend banners of pacience and of faith Heâ—herto haue wee spoken of his Knightes or Cheualyers CHAP. Vâ— â— Arthures Rounde Table NOwe is there very conuenient place to bringe in amongest other thinges a fewe but chosen excellent finally magnificent testimonies of Arthures round table and of his good cheare Unto these had not all noble men accesse But onelie they viz Lucida quos ardens euexit ad aethera Virtus Virtus sola virens nullis moritura diebus Whom Vertue cleere aduanced to the skies Euen Vertue alone which florishing neuer dies THis stately sturre as they say he somewhat more often solemnized But specially in the cittie of Caerlegion or Chester vpoÌ„ Vske which place he notably esteemed of The same did he at VeÌ„ta SimenoruÌ„ alîas Winchester at Camalet in Somersetshire The common vnlearned sorte of writers supposeth that Venta to bee called by another name that is to saye Camelet But I passe not vpon the iudgement of the common sorte The publike reporte of them which dwelt at the lowermost parte of the hill Cancaletum or an olde forte is that Murotrigum or the Towne now called Somerton spreadeth aduaunceth and solemnely settes foorth the fame of Arthure sometime inhabiting the Castle Which Castle of olde time was both most statelie and also most strongly buylded and in a most high or loftie prospect Good Lorde what and howe many most deepe Ditches are there heere How many vallyes are there heere out of the earth delued Againe what daungerous steepenesse And to end in fewe words truly me seemeth it is a mirackle both in Arte and nature At seges est vbi Troia fuit stabulantur in vrbe Et fossis pecudes altis valloque tumenti Taxus astutae posuere Cubilia vulpes But corne there is where Troy did stand cattle there abound Stalled in towne with ditches deepe in treÌ„ch mounting froÌ„ grouÌ„d There Yew trees grow subtile Foxes made their cabbins rouÌ„d ANd in deede this is the interchaunge of humane affayres Heerehence had Ilcester that auncient Towne this calamitie Heereupon doth the customary traffique there beholde the cleere welspring with heauie eyes and weepe their fill There the inhabitants plow the ground and euery yeere finde by seeking for them Golden Siluer and Brasen peeces of money expressing the images not very liuely of the Romanes Whereof euen I my selfe haue had a few giueÌ„ mee of those inhabitants FrauÌ„cis Lord Hastings Earle of HuÌ„tington an excelleÌ„t ornameÌ„t of those noble youthes about the king of EnglaÌ„d sometimes my benefactor in good learning as heire of y â— Piperells Bottrells of the HuÌ„gerfordes hath in his possession the ruined old cotages of Camelet together with y e large grouÌ„ds adiaceÌ„t IohaÌ„nes Anneuillanus y e writer in his Architrenio extolleth Arthures rounde table for y e excelleÌ„cy therof The same doth Volateranus in his thirde booke of Geography in these wordes He also being plentiful at home vsed amoÌ„gest his nobles a rouÌ„de table that there should be no coÌ„teÌ„tioÌ„ through ambitioÌ„ for seates At VeÌ„ta Symeno alîas Winchester in y e castle most famously knowne staÌ„deth fixed y e table at the walle side of y e kinges Hal which for y e maiesty of Arthure they cal y e round table And wherefore Because neyther the memorie nor felowship of the rounde Trowpe of Knightes as yet falles out of Noble mens mindes in the latter age of the world King Edward sirnamed the longe as fame telleth made much of that rounde order of Knightes To those vses was the round table instituted and framed if it be worthie of credit and that it was with three feete made of perfect gold There bee which write that one Mortimar by name spent and consumed away those treasures That thing yet by the way is most certaine out of the historie of Thomas Vicanius that Roger Mortimer helde a very great feast or banquette at Kenelworth whether as he of noble minde sent for most excellentest Cheualiers or Knightes as it had beene vnto Arthures round table of Knightes Hereupon were very many tokens of knightly prowesse set foorth in deede which the diligent posteritis shal with great desire reade expressed in wrytinges But now so long a while from this Cheualris of Arthure and his trayne I passe ouer to his godly disposition CAP. VII King Arthures Godly Disposition WIth how greate and how sincere deuotion hee was enclyned towards the Christian Common wealth it appeareth plainly by the aucthoritie of auncient writers He vsed the familiaritie of Dubritius Bishoppe of the Cittie of Caerlegion or Chester vpon Vske a man both of singuler learning and also of continencie in life so farre forth that he throwly felt as victor in the battel at Bathe his prayers auaylable Furthermore Dauid Meneuensis a man no doubt of exquisite holynesse as then felt both the fauour and liberallitie of Arthure so farre forth that the people Meneuenses report the Bishoppes sea to haue bene by them receyued as by Arthures meanes translated from the Cittie of Caerlegion or Chester vpon Vske vnto them Iltutus a man of incomperable lyfe being companion of these two hearing of that singuler magnificence of his zeale towardes God was bolde as the setter forth of his life writeth not onely face to face to goe see Arthure but also to salute him and haue communication with him Through which in deede boldnesse much lesse offended he the Prince seeing that he both gaue him very greate thankes and also an honest rewarde Arthure if auncient writers and constant same de reporte the truth had depainted in his Martiall target the stimlitude of the virgin Mary which target he
suppose of Henry the second King of England but as others thinke vnto whom I easely assent in the beginning of the raigne of Richard the first his Sonne Touching both this searching for and finding out of the bones two persons specially amongst others haue written their mindes of which two one was a Moncke of Glastenbury and by name vnknowne to me but the other was Siluester Giraldus Furdermore there had beene hereunto added also Gulielmus Meildunensis as the third witnesse to be conferred with them both but that death had taken him away in his aged yeares before the Scpulcre or Tombe was found The testimonies of these men will I vse especially and at this instant I will bring hether the wordes of Annonymus the Moncke King Arthure was entombed like as by K. Henry y e second Henry y ◠Abbot had learned whose cosen germane familier friend he of late was But y e King had often times heard this out of the actes of the Brittaines of their historicall singers that Arthure was buried neare vnto the old Church in the religiouse place betweene two Pyramedes in times past nobly engrauen and erected as it is reported for the memory of him And King Arthure was buryed verie deeply for feare of the Saxons whom he had often times vanquished whome he had altogether reiected or cast out of the Isle of Brittaine And whome Mordred his mischeeuous Nephew had first called backe againe and brought thither against him least they should also with mallice of minde raige in crueltie towardes the deade body which had laboured by tooth naile euen now to possesse againe the whole Island after his death Againe for and in respect of the same feare he was laide in a certaine broade stone as it were at a graue found of them which digged there of seauen foote as it were vnder y e earth when yet notwithstanding Arthures Tombe was founde more lower of nyne foote depth There was moreouer founde a leaden crosse not set into the vppermost but rather neathermost parte of the stone hauing thereon these letters engrauen HIC IACET SEPVLTVS INCLITVS REX ARTHVRIVS IN INSVLA AVALONIAE And the Crosse taken out of the stone the saide Abbot Henry shewing the same we haue seene with our eyes and haue reade these letters But like as the Crosse was infired to the neathermost parte of the stone So that parte of the crosse engrauen to the ende it might bee more secrete was turned towardes the stone Doubtlesse a wonderfull industrie and exquisite wisdome of the men in that age who by all endeuoures desired to hide in secret manner the body of so greate a personage and their Soueraigne Lord especially the Patrone of that place by reason of the instant troubled state And who yet had further care that at one or other time afterwardes when the trouble surceased by the perfect order of those letters engrauen in the Crosse and found out other whiles they might make apparant testimonies of his buriall And as the foresaide King Henry had before declared all the matter to the Abbot so the body of Arthure was found not in a marble Tombe as it befitted so notable a Kinge NOw in fit time comes forth Siluester Giraldus that same eye witnesse of Arthures bones and ashes found and aptly adioyneth his accounte vnto these wordes And his body which as it were fantasticall in the end and as it were by spirites translated vnto places a farre off and not subiect vnto death fables so fully had fayned was in these our dayes by wonderfull and as it were meruailous tokens founde out buried more deeper in the earth at Glastenburie betweene two Pyrameds in old time set vp within the religious place and by a hollow Oake marked or knowne was with honor trāslated into the Church decētly bestowed in a Marble Tombe Whereupon a leaden crosse being engrauen in the stone not in the vpper part as it is accustomed but on the lowermost part rather which wee also haue seene for we haue handled the same conteyned these letters engrauen and not eminent and extant but rather inwardlie turned to the stone HIC IACET SEPVLTVS INCLITVS REX ARTVRIVS IN INSVLA AVALONIAE And these wordes follow euen there And seeing there were some euident tokens of finding the bodie there by his inscriptions and some by the Pyramedes engrauen although as very much defaced and ouerworne by too much oldnesse of time yet most chiefely and most euidentlie did Henry the second king of England declare and manifest full and whole vnto those Monckes according as he had harde of that auncient historicall Musician the Brittaine namely that they should finde him buried deepely in the earth for xvi foote at the least not in a Tombe of stone but in a hollow Oake And therefore his body beeing laide and as it were hidden so deepe to the end that it might not be founde of the Saxons inhabiting the Island after his death whome he in his life time had so puissantly subdued almost destroyed might sarcely at any time be found And for this cause were the letters as testimonies of truth engrauen vpon the crosse turned inwardes to the stone to the end they should at-that time kepe in secret what they conteyned and that sometime also according to the place time requisite they might discouer or manifest that same meaning Moreouer also he writeth these words euen in the same place We must also know that the bones of Arthures bodie which were foūd were so greate that euē that saying of the poet might seeme in these words to be fulfilled Grandiaque effossis mirabitur ossa Sepulchris And the Tombes being digged forth right He shall maruaile at the greate bones in sight FOr the bone of his shinne beeing layde to the shinne of a most tall person which also the Abbot shewed vs and as it was fastned vnto that grounde neare vnto his foote retched it selfe largly three fingers ouer his knee Also the scalp of his head as it were a wonder or spectacle was capable and grosse in so much as betweene the eye bryes and the eyes it largely conteyned a hande bignesse There appeared in this tenne or moe woundes all which except one only greater then the rest which gaped wide and which onely seemed to bee a deadlie wounde grewe together into one whole scarre Nowe if it shall auaile any man either to repeate y ◠very selfe same thinges which I haue ere while recited out of Giraldus or not much vnlike to these let him read his booke viz. Speculum Ecclesiasticū where as two chapters lightsomly entreat of this matter In meane time yet I haue somwhat which helds me doubtfull For Giraldus affirmeth y t his burying place was of Oake which as I doe not streyght way affirme to be false So I will insinuate those thinges which vehemētly persuade me to y ◠cōtrary First the nūber
of greate Alder trees which by a certaine nature are growing cōmodious for the ground there Moreouer agayne I thinke the inhabitants of Aualonia were not so ignorāt of natural things y ◠they should beleeue y ◠Oake would continue longer in somwhat a moyst ground then the watery Alder tree which is growing in the grounde They which haue writtē of Trees willingly attribute somwhat moist groūds to be apt both for Alder Elme trees to be brought forth in thē There also remaineth another doubt which if I any thing rightly iudge shall rather seeme a plaine errour then any doubt at all Gyraldus confirmeth that Arthures Tombe was founde betwene two Pyrameds in the religious place at Aualonia In which opinion as it were so confirmed with testimonie of ancient writers euen I also remaine But I am so farre frō beleeuing any thing to be engrauē in thē which thing Arthures tombe as Giraldus declareth y ◠verie same should shew expresse or make famous that in deede vnto me may appeare nothing lesse like to be true If there had beene any such thing I pray you who more truly or more playnly should haue manifested y ◠same thē Gulielmus Meildunēsis vnto whom alone all posteritie ought to refer both their portractures inscriptions But hee in deede speaketh not so much as one worde of Arthure whome elswhere he diligently extolleth Doubtlesse it is a coniecture probable that Giraldus was vtterly ignorāt what inscriptions those Pyrameds contayned seeing he saith the letters were worne out by antiquitie or oldnes of time But I let passe Giraldus a mā truly otherwise learned a great greedy deuourer of anciēt knowledge as I am prouoked by another care not vnprofitable for the purpose Namely that I should not onely by the testimonie of two whom I haue aboue named but also by a full number of writers confirme establish and persuade as it were ratified Arthures Tombe founde Also to the end that that thing may more commodiously be done I thinke there are causes agreeable why I may more profoundly repeate all and singuler testimonies of famous men within a certaine conuenient and euydent scope of matter In which behalfe Claudius a frēchman to the end the reader may vnderstand that the credible report of Arthures Tombe found hapned euen vnto straungers vpright and perfect shall be a greate witnesse in matter aboundant Anno 1217. The bodie of Arthure that Noble king of Brittaine which had lyen buried 600. and moe yeeres was found in the Church of S. Mary at Glastenbury Heere in computation of the yeeres either by the Authors negligence or as more sincerelie the Interpreter saith by the negligence of the booke writer did there creepe in a faule error For Henry the Secōd of that name king of England dyed about the yeere after Christes byrth a thousand one hundreth and nyntie and the Tombe was founde in the first yeare of the raigne of King Richard the 1. his sonne The Cronicles of Persor Abbey doe make relation of these thinges Anno Domini 1191. the Tombe of Arthure Kinge of Brittaine was found at Glastenbury the leaden crosse vpon his brest declaring that his name was there written Iohannes Fiberius who is also commonly called Beuer writeth these thinges most briefly and by way of running it ouer Anno Domini 1191. were founde at Glastenbury the bones of Arthure Matthew Paris Moncke of the Monastery of S. Albane at the racing and seege of that most auncient Cittie Verolamium nere vnto S. Albones in the Countie of Hartford thus mentioneth of the Tombe The bones of the most famouse King Arthure were founde at Glastenbury laide vp in a certaine most auncient Tombe there about the which stoode erected two most auncient Pirameds wherein the letters were engrauen but by reason of the too much rudnesse and deformitie they could not be reade And they were found by this occasion For as they digged there to bury a certaine Moncke which with a vehement desire in his life time had before wished for this place as to be therein buried they founde a certaine close Tombe vpon the which was put a leade crosse wherein was engrauen HIC IACET INCLITVS BRITONVM REX ARTVRIVS IN INSVLA AVALONIAE SEPVLTVS But that place beinge rounde about encompassed with Marish groundes was in times past called the Isle of Aualon for truth that is the Ile of Aples Like as by Good right I fauour verie much the authoritie of this Matthew so I am sory that a fewe wordes chaunced redounding to this declaration in the inscription Certes that which he mentioneth of the Moncke I neuer hearde of before neyther doth he so farre forth perswade mee of the truth Ranulphus Higeden of Chester also maketh mention of King Arthure his Tombe I omit to mention other Authours and that with employed diligence because I would not seeme to affectate the number of witnesses in a matter so manifestly knowne and credited CAP. XVI The Translation of King Arthures bones I Remember that in my Epistle dedicatory I haue spoken of Arthures Lyneamentes three times translated Whereof which was the first because it appeareth not euident enough by the greater Church at Glastenbury from whence they write these were first of all conueyed I will somewhat more manifestly and more lightsomely notify I learned of the Monckes at Glastenbury most diligent reseruers no doubte of the Antiquitie pertayning to their Cloyster that Arthures Lyneamentes were translated into the greate Church which worke was greatly augmented by the liberallitie of Henry Plantagenet from the religiouse place but not laide in that place at that time where they now be There is a porch towardes the South parte and a Chappell from whence they go into the Treasury In this place men affirmed that Arthures bones remayned for a certaine season after that againe that they were translated into the midle Iles of the Queare By which interchaunge of time a newe stately and magnificent Tombe out of blacke Marble such as we see the Lydian or tutch stone was both heawne and cut out at that time together framed by vnaccustomed workmanshippe and witty deuise concerning which and also the translation thereof to write at this present it were vndoubtedly a needlesse thinge seeing that in the chapter before going touching Arthures Tombe founde all those matters appeare together in their order Therefore let our history apply it selfe vnto the third translation which was made in y ◠dayes of Edward sirnamed Longshanke K. of England not only the cheefest patrone of Arthures praise but also y e louer great reuerencer of his fame when as all y e Lyneamentes of them remayning in the most stately Tombe where they tooke their rest together before sauing the shinne bones of the King and of the Queene which he commaunded to be kept abroade it was no doubte a spectacle of Antiquitie very acceptable vnto