Cadorus the Duke of Cornwale a woman of rare beawtie Afterwards also he subdued vnto him the Saxones with most bloudy battels CHAP. III. The XII Battelles fought by Arthure NEnnius the Brittaine a writer of good and auncient credit amongst many others maketh most lightsome mention of his battels whose wordes although by the negligence of Printers and iniurie of time they be somewhat displaced yet notwithstandinge because they make much for our present matter and bring with them a certaine reuerent antiquitie I will here set them downe and in their order Arthure fought in deed against those Saxones with the gouernours of the Britaines but he himselfe was generall The first battell was at the entraunce of the floude called Gleyn alias Gledy The second third fourth and fift was vpon an other floud called Dugles which is in the Countrie of Lynieux The sixt was vpon the floud which is called Bassas The seauenth was in the wood Caledon that is Catcoit Celidon The eight in the Castle of Gwynyon The nynth was fought in the Cittie of Caerlegion vpoÌ„ Vske The tenth on the Sea shore which is called Traitheurith otherwise Rhydrwyd The eleauenth in the hill Which is called Agned Cathregonion The twelfth in the Mount Badonis wherein many were slaine by one assault of Arthure Thus farre witnesseth Nennius Iohannes the wryter of the golden historie ratifyeth the selfe same truth touching the twelue battels fought against those Saxones Aluredus Fibroleganus the historeographer also declareth the like And so these are the wordes of Henry sirnamed of Huntington in the second booke of his history Arthure the warrier in those dayes the Captaine generall of soldiours and of the rulers in Brittaine fought most valiantly against the Saxons Twelue times was he generall of the battell and twelue times got he the victory And there also But the battles and places wherein they were fought a certaine historiographer declareth Henry of Huntington seemeth here to haue hitte vpon the bréefe history of Nennius the name of whose exemplar as it seemeth was not set downe Herehence came that silence Neyther was that booke common in mens handes at that time and in this our age is surely most rare onely three exemplars do I remember that I haue seene Iohn Rhesus a louer of Antiquitie the same a diligent setter forth thereof hath a little booke entituled Gilde which booke so farre as I gather by his speach had not to Authour Gildas but Nennius The Elenchus or Registred Table of the librarie at Batle Abbey accounteth the historie of Gildas among there treasures I haue diligently enquyred for the booke but as yet haue I not found it The Reporte is that the exemplar was translated or carried to Brecknocke there to be kept Now must we report the Battels THe writer of the life of the reuerent Dubritius Archebishop of the Cittie Caerlegion vpon Vsk not vnelegantly doth coÌ„memorate such like matters When at length Aurelius the King was made away by poyson and that Vther his brother ruled a few yeares Arthure his Sonne by the helpe of Dubritius succeded in gouernement who with bold courage set vpon the Saxones in many battles and yet could he not vtterly roote them out of his Kingdome For the Saxones had subdued vnto them selues the whole compasse of the Island which stretcheth from the water of Humber vnto the Sea Cattenessinum or Scottish Sea For that cause the Peares of the Realme being called together he determined by their counsell what he might best do against the irruption of the Pagane Saxones At length by commâ—n counsell he sendeth into Armorica that is to say the letter Brittaine vnto King Hoel his Ambassadors which aduertised him at full touching the calamitie of the Brittaines who comming with fiftene thousand of armed men into Brittaine was honorably entertayned of Arthure and D. Dubritius going vnto the Cittie of Lincolne beseeged of the Saxones hauing fought y e battell there were six thousand of Saxones which eyther being drowned or wounded with weapons dyed But the others flying away vnto the wood of Caledon being beseeged by the Brittaines were constrayned to yeeld themselues and pledges being taken for tribute yearely to be paied he gaue them leaue with their shippes onely to returne into their Countrie Afterwardes within a short time the Saxones were ashamed of the league made and hauing recouered their strength they made their league as voyde and beseeged the Cittie Badon rounde about which now is called Bathe this when Arthure hearde of hauinge gathered his hoast together and beholding the Tentes of his enemies he spake thus vnto them Because the most vngodly Saxones disdaine to keepe promise with me I keping faith with my God will endeuoure to be aduenged of them for the bloud and slaughter of my Citizens Let vs therefore manfully set vpon those Traytours whom by the Mediation of Christ out of all doubt we shall ouercome with a wished triumphe And hee rushing vpon the ranckes of the Saxones beinge helped by the prayers of Dubritius in ouerthrowing many thousandes obtayned the victorie and the few which fled this garboyle he caused them to yeelde to his mercy Boccace in his booke of Lakes and Marishes thus wryteth Murais that Lake so called famous is by the victory of Arthure King of Brittaine for men say that the Scottes Pictes and Irishmen being by him beseeged were compelled to yeelde themselues there The same Authour in his viii booke of Famouse Personages maketh a notable mention of Arthure being moued with a certaine Godly zeale to the end he would not with vnthankfull silence ouerpasse so mightie a personage and so worthie a man Neyther here are those thinges which appeare in the Cronicles of a certaine writer of Digion differing from our purpose Cerdicius hauing more often conflict with Arthure if he were one moneth vanquished he more sharply assaulted in another moneth At length Arthure with irksome toyle so being awearied after the Xii yeare of Cerdicius his comming by fealtie to him sworne gaue him the Country Auonia Southwarde and Somaria which part Cerdicius called West saxony Gulielmus a Medulphi curia both a gallant writer and also a learned and which thing first in his history he as most faithfull in his first booke of the Kinges of Britaine mencioneth bringeth in by the way these testimonies of Arthure And now truly had it come to an euill passe with the Brittaines as he vnderstoode had not Ambrose onely of the Romans bene left aliue who after Vortigerus was Monarke or King with the surpassing exployt of warlike Arthure repressed the outragiouse barbarouse enemines of the Kingdome Moreouer hetherunto seeme these things to pertaine which in the fragmentes of Gildas the Brittaine are reade after this manner The Brittaines like conquerours take courage to them prouocating their enemies to fight vnto whom by
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
the Lordes good pleasure the victorie fell euen to their desire From that time otherwhiles the Citizens otherwhiles the enemies got the vpper hand that in this people it might be approued how the Lord after his accustomed maÌ„ner dealt with this present Israell and whether he loued the same yea or no euen vnto the yeare of the seege of the mount Badon and lastly almost of the petty spoylers there in no litle hurly-burly whereas euen I my selfe was borne These saith Gildas Behold the slaunderer is now present and as one cruell of eye sight requyreth a reason of me why Gildas remembreth not Arthure if he were then liuing To these I answere that I will hereafter speake of Gildas In means time the aduersarie calleth to minde that Gildas when the battaile was fought at Bathe was but an Infant By reason whereof euen his Actes done or not done of him somewhat slenderly are vnderstood by the aduersarie Gulielmus a Medulphi Curia a little before beareth so honourable a testimonie of Arthure that smally it shall differ whether if not superiour yet as equall hee reputed him with Ambrose But Nennius an Authour of no bad credite so much perfourmed in fauour of Aurelius Ambrosius as Gildas in the fauour of Arthure Uiz. that leauing out the name of the one hee might attribute vprightly by iust cause vnto the other all honour concerning the battle fought at Bathe But neither doe these alone performe this There are a number of good authours which coÌ„firme the selfe same matter with a certaine iust Authority Except in meane time he be so vniust a Judge that he allowe of nothing bee it neuer so credible which smelleth not of Tullie or Liuy when he him selfe in meane time smelleth I knowe not what of Aemilius Which thing shall not displease me when I shall vnderstand that hee franckely confesseth this matter In the meane while I wil recyte the testimony of that Iohn which concerning Arthure write the golden historie This yeere beeing the tenth of Cerdicius king of the West Saxones did arise Arthure amoÌ„g y e Brittaines a most valiaÌ„t warrier CHAP. IIII. K. Arthures expedition towardes the French THe sixte booke of the History of Brittaine speaketh copiously touching things done by Arthure in Fraunce vnto which countrie he went not before hee had foreseene as it seemed then in deede with aduised counsell the immunitie or disburdenance of Brittaines troubles He had to Nephewe one Mordred by name sonne of Lotho king of the Pictes of Anna sister of Aurelius Ambrosius king of Brittaine Unto this man because hee was most nearest in bloodde and familiar in acquaintance did hee committe all his kingdome together with Guenhera his most louing wife For Mordred in respect of fortitude or magnanimitie was most commendable and besides this for his quicke and prompt witte in accomplishing his affayres which vertues had hee not obscured with most ardent lust of ruling and offence of adultery but in meane time at first kept close for feare hee had in deede beene worthie to haue beene accompted amongst the most famous personages Nowe had Arthure entered into Fraunce and the Gouernors being subdued hee had left a notable testimony of his prowesse there Behold now commeth a sauage Tyraunt cruell and fierce who had rauished Helen the neece of Hoel of Armorica or the lesse Brittaine stolen away and brought out of Brittaine at the coaste of Fraunce and where vpon she died Arthure could not take well this so heynous a repreach done vnto Helen and straight way gotte the Tyraunte by the throate that hee vtterly destroyed this greate and horrible Monster And not longe after did Hoel cause to bee erected a sacred Tombe for Helen in the Islande where she died and a name fitly giuen vnto the place where Helens Tombe was made which serueth euen till this daye The Cronicles of the writer of Digion in Burgonie doe with greate commendation extolle Arthure warring in Fraunce by these like wordes Arthure for nine yeeres space subdued Fraunce vnto him hauing betaken his kingdome and Queene vnto Mordred his Nephew But he desiring ambitiously to raigne yet fearing only Cerdicius gaue him to the end hee should fauour his doinges seauen other prouinces viz. Sudo Saxony or Southsex SudorheiaÌ„ or Southery Berrochiam or Barckeshyre Vilugiam or Wiltshier Duriam or Dorcetshire Deuoniam or Deuonshier and Corineam Cornwale And Cerdicius coÌ„senting vnto these seÌ„ding for y e englishmeÌ„ restored his prouinces and was crowned after the manner of the countrie at Wintchester But Mordred was crowned ouer the Brittaines at London And so Cerdicius wheÌ„ he had raigned three yeeres died while Arthure yet remayned amongest the French vnto whome Kinrichus succeeded In the Seauenth yeere of whose Raigne Arthure returned into Englande Thus farre out of the Cronicles These which I haue nowe recited haue not onely their antiquitie but also credite and with a certaine circumstance are consonant to the History And that I may somwhat more friendly speake in fauour of Athures Tryumphes ouer the French there are besides these many thinges which I with a certaine zeale doe omitte altogether But yet that must I as it were touch by passing ouer the rest viz. that it is manifest by the inscription of Arthures greate Seale concerning which wee will in place conuenient speake circumspectly that he was made famous by the sirname of a French men And neither was this donne without manyfest occasion at any time For as touching the Antiquytie and euen most sure knowledge of the Seale so euidently I doubt not but that I may assuredly beleeue so their appeare vpright Judges heerein and which are skilfull in auncient monumentes that I shall proue by notable reasons the same was proper peculier and naturall and proceeding from the workemaster But these thinges more rightly appeare in there place I will at this instant onely heereto adioyne one Valerius which remembreth vs of thirtie kingdomes vanquished by Arthure For in those dayes a greate company of Gouernoures helde vnder their JurisdictioÌ„ the Islands together with Fraunce and Germany CHAP. V. K. Arthures Familier Cheualyers or knightes SOme man woulde peraduenture heere looke for that I shoulde also with a mightie praise blaze on the victoryes of Arthure touching which the historie of Brittaine reporteth Historiographers doe contend in this behalfe and the controuersie as yet resteth vnder the Judge But I will declare nothing rashly For so much as it appeareth most euidently that both obscure and absurde reportes haue crept into the historie of Arthure which thing is of the curious sorte easily sound faulte with But this in deede is not a cause sufficient iust why any man should neglect â—abiect or deface the Historie otherwise of it selfe lightsome and true Howe much better is it casting awaye trifles cutting off olde wiues tales and superfluous fables in deede of stately porte in outwarde shew but nothing auayleable
vnto credite beeing taken away to reade scanne vpon and preserue in memorie those thinges which are consonant by Authorytie For that which nowe a long time is embraced of Learned men with greate consent ought not in what soeuer moment of time barcking against it together with faith or credite thereof to be quite taken away Otherwise the History had not hetherto remained in so greate reputation Therefore because it is a worke of greater importaunce then wee presentlie are in hande with exquisitely curiously and perfectlie to displaye all the deedes of Arthure let vs for this season omitte the Romaines and let vs aduaunce with penne his famylier friendes Hoelus Gouernour of Armorica or the lesse Brittaine in this famous company of Nobles by a certaine right of his requyreth the next place from the first Concerning whose comming into Brittaine and warlike prowesse we haue formerly written in the chapter of the warres accomplished by Arthure Hetherunto ensewe Mordred and Gallouinus Brethren Germaynes vnto Arthure by bloodde and familiarity alyed Of which two this first at length like a periured persoÌ„ and the same a Reuoulter neuer enough discommendable that I speake nothing of the crime of his adultery was slayne in battle One Hector Abrinus beeing thereof scarce a true witnesse and as I gather with iudgement more rightly sirnamed Alaunicus But the second being alwaies a man constant perfourmed most faithfull diligence both in all forraine warres and also specially in that conflict at Dorcester aboute the returne of Arthure out of Fraunce into Brittaine who was chiefe next vnto him against Mordred Melchinus the Brittish Poet blazseth the fame of Gallouinus The same doth Iohannes Anneuillanus in his booke intituled Architrenio a worke not vnelegant namely by these verses Et Walganus ego qui nil reminiscor auara Illoculasse manu non haec mea fulgurat auro Sed gladio dextra recipit quo spargat enses Non loculos stringit nec opes in carcere miles Degener cupide tumulato rusticus aere Et me bella vocant Et tua forsitan vrget Solicitudo vale And Walgan I with couetous hand nought distribute which haue This my right haÌ„d shines not with gold but with the sword so braue It takes that it may distribute euen swordes not bagges it bendes Nor wealth though I a Knight distrest yet not vntrue to friendes Ne yet in countrie liued I like a couetouse muckâ—scrape But now the warres away call me vnto my wonted state And thine affaires also Perhappes vrge the thereto Farewell ALso that History of Arthure in deede Fabulus which commonly is carried about written in the mother tongue affirmeth that Gallouinus was buried in a certaine Chappell at Dorcester In which poynt what manner booke soeuer it be it misseth not the marke altogether as the booke entituled Scalaecronicon makes manifest relation and y e inhabitantes of y e Castle do now repute his bones almost Gyanllike in stead of a miracle And that long since in the time of Lucius Magnus there was a Chappell founded in the Castle of Dorcester and dedicated vnto our Lord and Sauiour Christ what time Fugatius and Damianus Brittaines preached the Gospell as by the Annales or yearly recordes of the same Cittie hearing a reuereÌ„t figure resemblance of Antiquitie it doth plainely appeare That it may be most acceptable and besides that most true which I haue aboue inferred touching both the death and buriall of Galouinus it shall not through me stand that the iudgement of William de Medulphi Curia as touching the death and buriall of this Gallouinus by reason of his fortitude neuer enough commended should eyther weare out of memory or vtterly perish Wherefore I esteeme it worthie the labour here to sette downe his wordes out of the third booke of the Kinges of England that herehence the discreete Reader might euen fully try as it were at a tutchstone the sincere brightnesse of true gold from that which is counterfeite Then in the Prouince of Wales which is called Rossia was founde the Sepulchre or Tombe of Gallouinus or Walwine which was the Nephewe not degenerate of Arthure by his sister He gouerned in that Coast of Brittaine which to this day is called Waluuthia as a Knight most famous in prowesse but being of his brother and the Nephew to Hengistus concerning whom I haue spoken in the first booke driuen out of his Kingdome did first to their great detriment recompeÌ„ce his banishment iustly pertaking praise with his Unckle for that he put off or auoyded the downefall from his Country then ruinouse But Arthures Tombe was at no time seene whereupon Antiquitie of foolish dreames and fables did vainely surmise that he would yet come againe But the burying place of the other as before I set down in the time of William the first King of EnglaÌ„d was found fourtéene foote long vpon the Sea coast where as some men affirme he was wounded of his enemies and cast out of shipwrake certaine persones haue saide hee was slaine by the Citizens at publique banquet So saith the Authour Gulielmus Meildunensis as concerning Gallouinus But I if it might bee lawfull for me as a puny would make tryall of my strength w t these weapons against this authour Meildunensis so olde and most beaten Souldier to bestow beare of the blowes viz. It is not like to be true that men of Gyantlike height as I gather by y â— graue 14. foote long were then liuing in the dayes of Gallouinus Wherefore vndoubtedly in mine opinion it is more credible that it was the graue of some Gyant inhabitinge the countrie For that first such did inhabit Albion it appeareth both by auctoritie of forraine and of our owns writers The one of which two his credit I folowing namely Iosephus of Deuonshire a Brittish Poet most absolutly elegante by all meanes hauing taken out of his Antiocheides a work immortall these few verses I will vse them as testimony for breuitie sake His Brutus auito Sanguine Troianus Latijs egressus ab oris Post varios casus consedit finibus orbem Fatalem nactus debellatorque Gigantum Et terrae Victor nomen dedit A Troian Brute by auncient bloude ariued froÌ„ Romane roade After sundry hazardes and here in these coastes aboade And hauing got his destned land subdued the Gyants fell As Conquerour he left his fame vpon the earth to dwell Architrenius in his sixt booke of Gyantes inhabiting Albion recyteth these Hos auidum belli Corinei robor auerno Praecipites misit cubitis ter quatuor altum Gogmagog Herculea suspendit in aere lucta Antheumque suum scopulo detrusit in aequor These Corineus his puysant strength of eager moode to fight To hell sent headlong Gogmagog of twelue cubites height By him like Hercules wrastling into the aire was throwne His Antheus eke and from the rocke in seaes was cast adowne NEyther am I ignorant that in
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
doinges Let them ouercome with powre if they can so the trueth be ours I will imitate the Noble Palme Tree which beeing pressed downe with heauie burdens yet falleth not to the ground at any time And neither at this instant doe I seeke for any reward so you vouchsafe me your courtesy good will fauour truly I may persuade my selfe I haue al thinges that I rightlie looke for And for amendes on my part also shall hereunto ensue most requisite promptitude expedite alacrity enflamed also by vertue of enment vnto like enterprises not onely but also to imparte you greater matters which shall stirre vp your learned eares and being stirred vp may long detaine them and so deâ—eyned as it were by a certaine land floude of pleasant delight therewith bring them vnto fragrant fieldes And all these thinges do I easily promise my selfe trusting in your honestie and helpe as one doubtlesse fully bent vpon hope thereof Surely my muse such as it is altogether is youres neyther tendeth â—he to any other purpose at any time but vnto your behoofe and the coÌ„moditie of all men I count it a base seruice to satisfie the common peoples humor but to performe you my continuall industrie differeth not far from a kingdome such a one as by a iust cause I may prefer euen before the kingdome of Alexander For what more reserued hee vnto him selfe wholy when he dyed of so greate Riches possessions and dominions sauing fame onely This though by many accomptes in example inferior obteyned by your meane shall I yet so earnestly aduance that nightes and dayes shall she watch for your welfare emolument And at lengthe those same most thicke mistie cloudes in deede of ignorance beeing shaken off vtterly dashed aside the light of Brittish Antiquitie with displayed beames farre and wide shall shine forth God giue you long life and wellfare most sincere fauorers of vertue and good learning FINIS LONDON Imprinted by Iohn wolfe dwelling in Distaffe Lane ouer against the signe of the Castell 1582. Gen. 9. Arist metâ—â— liber 3. Cap. 1. Trac 2. â— Reg. 7 Deut 32. Reg. 3â— 2. Reg. â— â— Reg. 23. 2 Reg. 1. Aâ—â—o â—30 Hest. Cap. 〈◊〉 2. Esd. 4 Reuel â— Deut. 31. Psal. 121. Psal. 132. William Paruus Polidorus Virgilius two aduersaries of K. Arthures fame The Authours good purpose in this worke Vther Pendragon king Art father Ouid. Epist. â— Vther Pendragon begat Arthur of Igerna the wife of Gorloys Gouernour of Cornwale and also a Virgin named Anna. Originall of Arth. name Ouid. 13. lib. Metam Fibis Iohn Stowe Then an ancient Cittie which was neere saint Albones the fouÌ„dations where of are yet apparant Iohn Stow. What time Arthur was crowned A. D. 316. Graius a writer his testimony Iohn Stow. Two Rulers of the Pictes aspire vnto Arthures kingdome Battle and victory ouer Arthur his enemies by Hoel his friend Arthure married Guenhera the daughter of Cadorus Duke of Cornwaile Iohn Stow Some iudge this to be Bathe Iohn the writer of the golden history Henry of Huntington King Artâ—ure Xij times General and Xij. times CoÌ„querour Iohn Rhesâ—s a louer of Antiquitie Iohn Stow. Iohn Stow. What time Arthure succeded Vther his Father Arthure could not cleane roote all the Saxones out of Brittaine Hâ—el King of Brittaine aides him with a powe of 15000. men Lincolne beseeged by the Saxones Their slaughter fight Bath beseeged by the Saxons K. Arthure seekes to be adueÌ„ged of the Saxones His wordes His victorie ouer them Boccace mentioneth of Arthure M. Camden Cerdicius the Saxon helde warre with Arthure Arth. friendly to his foo William of Malmsbury Arthure sore distressed had it not bene for Ambrose a Romaine Gildas Aduersaries quarrel against Arthure William of Malmesbune a friendly writer Nennius another Mordred Arthure his Nephewe put in great trust His vertues mixt with vices Hoels neece viz. Helen stolne out of Armorica Arthure reuengeth that iniury Diuionensis Arth. subduing Fraunce his Nephewe Mordred in meane time betrayeth him coÌ„federating with Cerdicius Anno. 516. Mordred crowned Arth returned into England Valerius reporting that K. Arthure vanquished 30. kingdomes K. Arthures knights of his round Table Hoel the first knight Gallouinus the second knight 〈…〉 Gallouinus buried at Dorcester His bones Gianâ—like Accordingâ— to the record of Glastenbury the name are Fugatius and Dâ—mianus This Lucius being created the first Christian King in England liued about the yere after Christ 182 William of Malmesbury his iudgment of Gallouinus Hâ—s wordes of reporte The manner of Galouinuâ— his death after the reporte of W. Malmâ—b Wiâ—liam of Malmsbury Iohn Leylands opinion to the contrarie His proofe out of a brittish Poet named Iosephâ—â— William of Malmsbury a most curious and painful searcher of Antiquitie William of Malmsbury The interpretation of Gallouinus his name Augusellus the thâ—â—d knight Iohn Stow. An auncient Cittie in Kent nere Sandwich the ruins of it yet remaine The Prowesse and valiant aduenture of him one Graius a wriâ—er witnesseth Iohn Stowe Wryters Geoffrey of MuÌ„mouth Iohn of â—orow Rossus of Warwicke Anonimus a writer Iderus the 4. knight neare of blood vnto Arthure His beneficeâ—â— towardes the Church at Glastenbury Lancelot thâ— fifth knight A faithfull friend and valiant aduenger of iniury done by Mordred vnto Arthure Syluester Giraldus his testimâ—nie of his buriall at Glastenburie Carodocus â— sixte knight Whose fame the Cronicles at Dorcester â—â—toll Cadorus the 7. Knight of the most noble progeâ—ie of the kinges of England A stoute defeÌ„der preferrer of his princes dignitie Constantine his sonne succeeded Arth. â—ldas his testimony of Constantine a degenerate child a murtherer of Innocentes Iohn Stow. Vsuall places where K. Artâ— kept his 〈◊〉 table On this side SomertoÌ„ neare vnto Glastenbury is the village Surton Camelet an old forte K. Arthure inhabited a castle at SomertoÌ„ Iohannes Anneuillanus a writer extolleth K. Arth. round table K. Arthures round table where it standeth K. Edward the first made much of that round order of Knightes in his time Roger Mortimer solemnished the same order at Kenelworth Two Bishops religiouse fauourers of K. Arthures welfare Of S. Dauid Iltutus a Godly and learned father an other religiouse fauourer of Ar. K. Arthure his iourney to Ierusalem His zeale speciall good will towardes the Church men of Glastenbury Iohn Layland a bearer with Polidorus So farre as he bringes forth the truth and other wise his enemy Alias â—â—ganus and Damianus This was king Henry the 2. Sonne of Geoffrey plantagenet brother to king Henry the first succeding him An. 1154. raigned 3. yeares 9. monethes 12. dayes and was buried of Founteuerard in Fraunce Wordes contayned in king Henry the 2. his deede of gift proceding from king Arthures beneuolence towardes the Church men at Aualonia He meaneth Robert CaxtoÌ„ who translated the history of K. Arthure K. Arthures Seale kept at Westminster in Iohn Leylandes dayes His reporte in praise thereof describing the properties The Insculpture
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