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
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
A Learned and True Assertion of the original Life Actes and death of the most Noble Valiant and Renoumed Prince Arthure King of great Brittaine Who succeeding his father Vther Pendragon and right nobly gouerning this Land sixe and twentie yeares then dyed of a mortall wounde receyued in battell together with victory ouer his enemies As appeareth Cap. 9. And was buried at â—lasteâ—bury Cap. 1â— An. 543. Collected and written of late yeares in lattin by the learned English Antiquarie of worthy memory Iohn Leyland Newly translated into English by Richard Robinsâ—â— Citizen of London Anno Domini 1582. LONDON Imprinted by Iohn Wolfe dwelling in Distaffe Lane ouer against the Signâ— of the Castell 1582. Insignia Illustrium Patronorum huius opusculi selectorum ARTVRVS BARO Gray de VVilton D. HENRICVS SIDNEY Illustrissimi Ordinis Garterij Miles vnus Consiliariorum D. Reg. in Principatu Walliae Praesid Magister Thomas Smith D. Reginae Custumarius Principalis in Portu London To the Right Honorable Lord ARTHVRE GRAY Baron of Wilton Lord Deputie Liefetenant Generall for the Queenes Maâ—estie in Ireland To the Right Honorable Sir HENRY SIDNEY Knight of the Honorable Order of the Garter President for her Maiestie in the 〈◊〉 of Wales To the Right worshipfull M. THOMAS SMITH Esquire Chiefe Customer for her Maiestie in the Porte of London to the Worshipfull Societie of Archers in London yearely celebrating the renoumed memorie of the Magnificent Prince ARTHVRâ— his Knightly Order of the Round Table Grace mercy Peace in the Lord Euerlastinge HAVING in mindefull memorie Right Honourable and Worshippfull that mercifull couenaunt of peace by our omnipotent Creator towardes all flesh thus manifested I do set my Raine Bowe in the cloudes it shall be as a tokeÌ„ betwene me the earth promising hereby neuer to destroy the same any more by waters how much ought maÌ„kind specially enioying by this peaceable pact from HeaueÌ„ Earth the Sea aboundance of benefittes feare God in his holines loue one an other in righteousnesse and vse these benefittes with thankfulnesse to the aduauncement of his glory For this Bowe this Rainebowe I say of his couenant and pledge of his peace left vnto vs froÌ„ the deluge as Aristotle affirmeth Naturally appeareth by reflection or giuing backe of the light of the Sunne from a cloude opposite or against the same So our heaueÌ„ly God the Father of light and giuer of grace departeth with the light of his manifolde mercies vnto mankinde from the opposite cloude of his displeasure Againe this Bowe of his couenant and pledge of his peace as it is saide by Albertus To be so much lesse in appearance as by how much the Sunne is higher in the Heauens and contrarie wise so much greater as the Sunne is lower to the earth So much lesse be the mercies of God minded of man as his mightie power appeareth out of our sight and againe so much greater seeme his mercies vnto vs as his mightie power is nere vs in sight Thirdly according to Aristotle this Rainebow of his couenant pledge of his peace As it appeareth in the Spring time in Sommer in Autume in Winter euening morning but specially in Autumne So is the performance of his mercifull couenant and peaceable pacte at all times apparant but specially in Autumne that is when mankinde laboureth most to leaue sinne and bring-forth fruites of good life as I saide fearing God in his holinesse louing one an other in righteousnesse and vsing his benefittes with thankfulnesse Thus and to this end graunting his couenant our omnipotent Creator and gratiouse God ordayning Man ruler ouer his Creatures in earth yet vnder his protection in heauen hath not onely bounde vnto him all humaine societie but hath also substituted euen his liuetenauntes godly rulers ouer the same to the foresaide effect for the aduauncement of his glory confirming the same couenant with the aucthoritie of his holie worde on this manner I will ordaine a place for my people of Israell I. And I will plant him and I will dwell with him II. And he shall be no more troubled III. And the children of iniquitie shall not vexe or afflict him any more IIII. By his word here he promised that which by his deede he performed to our forefathers Adam in Paradise Gen. 1. Noah his children Gen. 9. Abraham his seede Gen. 12. But louing his â—lect and hating their enemies he performed his promise vnto Iacob in his prouidence and vnto Laban in his iudgments Gen. 30. So did he in like manner vnto Ioseph and his vnnaturall brethren Gen. 37. Yea in his prouidence laying his right hand vpon Ephraim and in his iudgement his left hand vpon Manasses Gen. 48. Whereby as he prospered and protected his holy ones in peace and warres against their enemies we reade also in the deuine histories from time to time how and by what ordenarie meanes of power force and defence he reached vnto his feeble flocke his mightie arme to the discomforture of the enemie vtter subuertion both of their power pollicie according to his promises aforesaide Heere then memorable and praiseworthie is the prouidence of this most mightie God who promising helpe vnto the Iewes against the Gentiles vsed no kinde of speach so much as this That he would bend his Bow and dye his shaftes in bloud As who say God wilâ— make the Iewes shoote strong shootes to ouerthrow their enemies or at the least that shooting is a wonderful mightie thing whereunto the high power of God is likened This bow a weapon of defence the Raine Boe a token of truce This Bow in peace a pleasure the Raine Bowe a signe of serenitie this Bow in warres a paine to the enemie the Raine Bow at al times and to all people Gods toaken betwene him and the earth The one an instrment of mercy the other of destruction the godly haue both as their comfort and sauegarde by Gods protection the vngodly either wanting the one or hauing both haue them to their confusion and subuertion by his reiection As we reade of King Saul that he was slaine of the Philistians being mightie bow men and with him also his Sonne â—onathas who as the scripture saith neuer shot shaft in vaine And that the kingdome of Israell after Sauls death came vnto King Dauid who after he was King decreed by the first statute which he enacted That all the children of Israell should learne to shoote in the bowe according to a law made many a day before vt patet in libro iustorum a booke not now in vse to be â—ounde In his booke of Psalmes as hee saide He was at peace with them that hated peace So named hee the bow and arrowes in diuers manners meaninges as in his Psal. 7. vers 13. 14. Psal. 11. vers 2. Psal. 18. vers 13. Psal. 21. vers 12. Psal. 45. vers 6. Psal. 49. vers 9.
welfare of this blessed peace and the profit of this excellent practise proceede I humbly beseech you with noble Nehemias and those godly superuisors with dutifull diligence with the one hand holding your boes and with the other hand as good laborers for your Prince publique wealth to beare the burdens of your vocation towards the buylding of this earthly Ierusalem euen from the morning spring till the Starres come forth Continually I say accustome your selues to seeke this peace of the gospell and to ensue the same ryde on I say with renoume vpoÌ„ that White Horse whose sitter hauing a boe and a croune giuen him hath promisse from the mightie power of God that he shall go forth conquering and shall ouercome That Christ our King of the vâ—â—iuersall Church with his croune and septer and with the shafâ—es of his mouth or worde and gospell of peace may pearce throughout the worlde to the aduauncement of his glory which shal sit on the raineboe in his maiestie to iudge all Nations as the feare of his holynesse mutuall loue in righteousnesse and thankfulnesse for his benefites may moue all men I haue trauieled in the translation of this booke out of Latin into English with all humble true harted reuerence beseeching God to assist you right honourable Lord Deputie with his omnipotent power that as an inuincible Iosua you may continually bring in the people to the due knowledge of God and obedience of our Prince as a notable Nehemias in true feare of God without feare of foe buylde vp this earthly Ierusalem to the perfection of that perpetuall peace promised in the heauenly Ierusalem Finally that you right honourable Lord President and you right worshipfull Master Thomas Smith with your worshipfull associates Dayly praying for the peace of this Ierusalem as the amitie thereof is sweete by the vnitie of your mindes So that Hoc sit longissime vt periucundum sic cohabitare fratres in vnum I according to my humble duty hartely do pray vnto God crauing pardon of your honours and worshippes generally for this my bold dedication And beseeching you fauourably to accept the same in furderance of my poore study of dutifull well wishing towardes my Prince countrie I humbly and hartely beseech the eternall omnipotent God to multiply his manifolde mercies vpon your honours worships that being all of one dutifull minde in God towardes the maiestie of our most sacred soueraigne lady vnder her long liuing in peaceable prosperitie we may after this life attaine vnto that peaceable and perpetuall kingdome of Heauen to raigne as coheires with Christ our Lord in the glory of his Father AMEN Your Honourable Lordships and worthie Worships most humble and faithfull poore Orator RICHARD ROBINSON Citizen of London I. L. Ad Candidos Lectores Delituit certé multis Arturius annis Vera Brittannorum Gloria Lumen Honos Dispulit obscuras alacer Lelandius vmbras Sydereum mundo restituitque iubar Plaudite Lectores studiosa caterua diserti Prestitit officium candidus ille suum Hinc procul at fugiant Codrino felle tumentes Ne proprio crepitent ilia rupta malo I. L. To the Syncere Readers Many yeeres surely Arthure hidden lay Of Brittons the Glory Light Honor true Cheerely hath Leyland driueÌ„ darke shadowes away And yeelds the world bright shining Sun to view Of Learned Readers reioyce yee studious Crew He sincere did his Duetie bounden fulfill Farre hence flee those their spyte which spew Least their Intestines burst with their owne ill The Table of the names of those Authors whose testimonies this present Booke vseth Foraine writers Poets Lucanus Iuuenall Martiall Historiographers Cornelius Tacitus Paulus Diaconus Claudius Gallus IohaÌ„nes Anneuillanus Valerius Boccace Diuionensis Ponticus Virunnius Brittaine writers Theliesinus Ambrosius Maridunensis Merlinus Caledonius Melchinus Patricius Glessoburgensis Gildas Bannochorensis Anonymuâ— Nennius Samuell Beda Girouicanus Brittaine writers Asserius Meneuensis Gulielmus Meildunensis Galfridus Monemuthensis Aluredus Fibroleganus Henricus Venantodunensis Iosephus Iscanus Siluester Giraldus Matheus Parisius Iohannes Chysistoriographuâ— Gulielmus Paruus Iohannes Fiberius Thomas Vicanus Ranulphus Higedenus Mattheus Florilegus Iohannes Burgensis Thomas Melorius Scalechronica Chronica Durensia Chronica Glessoburgensia Chronica Persorana 2. Cor. 13. Nihil contra veritatem agere possumus sed pro Veritate Prou. 12. Labium Veritatis firmum in perpetuum Prou. 21. Testis autem mendax peribit Esdra â— 9. Super omnia autem vincit Veritas Certaine memorable Notes inserted into this Assertion since the Translation thereof By Ric. Ro. AS Pliny saith Ingenui pudoris est fateri per quos proseceris So I must freely confesse the friendly helps of those which profited me in this purpose First by conference with Master Steuen Batman a learned Preacher and friendlie fauourer of vertue and learning touching the praise worthie progenie of this K. Arthure he gaue me this assured knowledge on this maner taken out of his Auncient records written at Aualonia Uerses found in certaine Cronicles wherein were discourses had of Aruiragus king of Brittaine 45. yeeres after the natiuitie of Christe Twelue men in number entered the Vale of Aualon Ioseph of Aramathia was the chiefest flowre of them Ioseph the sonne of Ioseph his father did attend With other tenne and Glaston did possesse There alâ—â— this writing did witnesse that K. Arthure of greate Brittaine desceÌ„ded of the stocke of y â— saide Ioseph viz. Helarius the Nephewe of Ioseph begate Iosue Iosue begate Aminadab Aminadab begate Castellors Castellors begate Manaell Manaell begate Lambord and Vrlard and Lambord begate a sonne that begate Igerna of which woman king Vther Pendragon begate the noble and renoumed King Arthure Whereby it plainely appeareth that K. Arthure descended of the stocke of Ioseph Againe like wise of the same kindred whereof K. Arthure came proceeded these auncient Brittaines also Peter the CoseÌ„ of Ioseph of Aramathia king of Arcadia begate Erlan Erlan begate Melianus Melianus begate Arguthe Arguthe begate Edor Edor begate Lotho which maried to wife the sister of K. Arthure of whom Lotho begate 4 sonnes to wit Walwanus Agranaius Guerelies and Garelies all which were noble men of authoritie in Brittaine where they dwelt Moreouer he shewed me â—ut of his auncient records the interchaunges of king Arthures armes which hee gaue in three chiefes from the first to the third viz. His first armes he bare in a shield Gules red three Serpentes Or. gold His second hee bare in a shield Vert greene a plaine Crossargent in chiefe the figure of the Virgin Marie with Christe in her armes His third and last in a shield Azure blew three â—ownes Or. gold But after knowledge of these seuerall armes I had intelligence of a certaine French booke wherein he is reported to aue giuen a shielde Azure blew 13. Crownes Or. gold This booke beeing in an English mans handes I was not so desirous to see it but he as willingly shewed it
lent it me There was in it portracted both the seuerall names shieldes and seuerall armes in colours also depainted of all K. Arthures knights and vnder euery one the commendation due vnto him by his cheualrie Which because the engrauing of their armes was very chargeable the circumstance of matter more then I could in so shorte time publish in the English tongue I was enforced to content me with this briefe collection concerning K. Arthure and with the names of 16. kinges one Duke and 149. knightes so many as were therin printed viz. Of King Arthure himselfe it saith Directly vnder his shield thus King Arthure did beare in his shield Azure blew 13. Crownes of golde He was a greate conquerour and of noble and valiant prowesse hee instituted the order of the rounde Table in the kingdome of greate Brittaine Unto the which he appointed all his chosen knightes at Whitsontide yeerely to come and holde their Homage of him by the same order Now â—â—â—oweth the names of those knightes and first hovv many kinges Kinges 1 Le Roy Meliadus 2 Le Roy Ban de Benock 3 Le Roy Boort de Gauues 4 Le Roy Karados 5 Le Roy Lac. 6 Le Roy de Clareâ— 7 Le Roy Vrien 8 Le Roy Loâ—tho de Orchany 9 Le Roy Ryon 10 Le Roy Pelinor 11 Le Roy Baude maguâ— de Gorre 12 Le Roy Pharam ondo 13 Le Roy Galganoys de Norgalles 14 Le Roy Aguisant d' Escosse 15 Le Roy Malaquin d' outre les marches de Gallounne 16 Le Roy Claudas I â—Le Duke de Clarence Knightes 1 Messier Lancelot du Lac. 2 Boort de gauues 3 Gawain d' Orchany 4 Messier Tristran de Lyonnoys 5 Lyonet de Gauues 6 Helias le Blanc 7 Hector des Mares 8 Bliomberis de Gauues 9 Gaherriet 10 Keux le Seneschall 11 Messier Yuaine 12 Bruor le Noir 13 Baudoyer le Conestable 14 Agruall de Galles 15 Segurades 16 Patris le Hardy 17 Esclabor le Messoniez 18 Saphar le méscognieu 19 Sagremor le desree 20 Gyron le Curtoys 21 Seguram le Brun. 22 Galehault le Blaâ—c 23 Le Morholt de Ireland 24 Danayn le Roux 25 Amilan de Sessougnâ— 26 Brallain 27 Brallain que lon disoit le Cheualier an duex espees 28 Gallehaulte 29 Lamorat de Lysth enoys 30 Brunor de Gauues 31 Le bon Cheualier de Norgalles 32 Henry de Ryuell 33 Messier Gullat 34 Gueherres 35 Aggrauaine le Orguilleux 36 Mordrec de Orchany 37 Gyrfflet 38 Dodvnel le Sauaige 39 Yuain le Auoutre 40 Ozement Coeur hardy 41 Gualegantine le Galloys 42 Gaherriet de Lemball 43 Mador de la porte 44 Bamers le forcene 45 Dynadam de Estrangor 46 Herret le filz de lac 47 Artus le petit 48 Cinglant Rochmont 49 Artus lesbloy 50 Guallogrenant de Windezores 51 Kandelis 52 Merangis des portz 52 Gauuaine le franc 53 Gnades le fort 54 Pharas le Noir 55 Pharas le Roux 56 Iambegues le Garruloys 57 Taulas de la mountaine 58 Abandam le fortune 59 Damatha de folimâ—t 60 Amand le bel Iousteur 61 Ganesmor le Noir 62 Arphin le Dire 63 Arconstant le adures 64 Le Beau couranr 65 Le laid hardy 66 Andelis le Roux serrâ—e 67 Bruyant des Isles 68 Ozenall de Essraâ—â—â—â— 69 Le Cheualier de Esther 70 Le Varlet de Glayn 71 Heroys le ioveux 72 Fergas du 〈…〉 73 Lot le Couâ—enr 74 Meliadus del Espinov 75 Meliadus an noâ—r aeil 76 Avglius des vaux 77 Iamburg du Chastell 78 Messire Clamorat 79 Surados des sept fontanes 80 Le Varletan Circle 81 Kaedins de Lonizein 82 Lucane le Boutellier 83 Brumer de la fountaine 84 Lenfant du plessies 85 Persides legent 86 Sibilias aux dures maius 87 Sinados le Esile 88 Arphazat le groz coeur 89 Le blonde Amoreux 90 Argahac le Beau. 91 Normaine le Pelerin 92 Harmaine le felon 93 Toscane le Romane 94 Landone le Leger 95 Le fort troue 96 Le Noir Perdu 97 Le fortune de lisle 98 Le see des Dames 99 Le Forester de DeÌ„newich 100 Le Chasseur de onâ—re les marches 101 Ieyr Landoys de Rufe 102 Geoffroy le Lancoys 103 Randowin le persien 104 Froyadus le Gay 105 Rousse lin de la autre moÌ„dâ— 106 Gurrant le Roche dure 107 Arm. on ouuerd serpent 108 Ferrand du tertre 109 Thor le filz de Arez 110 Iupin des croix 111 Ydeux le fort Tyrane 112 Bolinian du Boys 113 Le bon Cheualier saÌ„s paouâ— 114 Brouadas le Espaignoll 115 Brechus sans Pitye 116 Malignain 117 Le Cheualeur de Scalloâ— 118 Melias de l' Espiâ—â— 119 Agrâ—erle â—el Patride◠〈◊〉 Circle d' Or. 120 Mandius le noir 121 Perceuall de Gallis 122 Aeuxdestraux 123 Lamant du Boys 124 Melianderis de Sansen 125 Mandrin le Sage 126 Kalahart le petite 127 Sadocde Vencon 128 〈…〉 129 Verrant de la Roche 130 Le Brunsans ioy 131 Lâ—sterin le grand 132 Le Cheualier des sept voyes 133 Gryngaloys le fort 134 Malaquin le Galoys 135 Agricole Beaugrand 136 Gualiandres du Tettre 137 Margondes le Rongo 138 Kacerdius de la Vallce 139 〈…〉 140 Talâ—mor le Volanâ— 141 Alibel de Logres 142 Dalides de la Ryuier 143 Arain du pineÌ„ 144 Arganor lâ— riche 145 Mâ—has le Beau Cheualiâ—â— 146 Mehadus le Blanc 147 Malaquin le gros 148 Meâ—â—â—er Palamides 149 Alexander le Orpheliâ— Summa totalis 166. Knightes Whereof Kinges 16. Dukes 1. Knightes 149. Besides notice of these I vsed in my translation from time to time the helpe of Master Iohn Stow Mâ—ster Cambâ—eÌ„ diligeÌ„t searchers in antiquities for the interpretation of those hard brittish and Welch â—ownes or names of places which neither Master Leyland the Collector of this Assertion had expounded perfectlie neither I my felfe the translator câ—â—ld otherwise of my selfe haue perfourmed For the which I am to gratifie them as the others also before recyted The Assertion of K. Arthure EVIDENT It is by the speciall agreement of Greeke and Latine writers that Hercules was borne of Alcmena by the adultery of Iupiter But what manner of person or how mightie in times past hee was I suppose is euen of the meanely learned better knowne then that at this preseÌ„t needeth any further InsinuatioÌ„ And very many others there were borne in adultery as by the Auncient History largely appeareth whose prowesse at home and in warres notably excelled Amongest whome also our Arthure the chiefest ornament of Brittayne and the onely myracle of his time florished famously May I therefore bee so bolde by good leaue of Gulielmus Paruus yea and so of his most mightie successour in place Polidorus euen with condigne praises to commend my countryman Arthure and with the same dilligence to leane vnto the Brittish history interpreted by Geoffrey of Munmouth a man not altogether
vnlearned what soeuer otherwise persōs ignorant of antiquitie which thinke themselues to haue knowledge shall say as vnto a firme defence rather then vnto the fond fables or base stuffe of forraine writers Truly in fables which haue crept into the history of Arthure I doe not more delite then Polidorus the Iudge But to bee afraide of any man by reason of his greate age or eloquence or authoritie finally as like a foolish forsaker of the truth I shoulde so leaue her partes vndefended that certainely will I neuer doe An other way do equity honesty the rule of fame and heerehence a iust loue to my country yea truth it selfe thē which one thing nothing more deare I loue fully moue me But yet neither thinke I to wage battaile with y t Learned In meane time yet by good reason it shall be free for me to make most famous the state of my coūtrie and specially the partes of truth euen with singuler dilligence expedyte industry cheerefull labour prompt counsell quicke iudgment yea and finally by all meanes Therefore trusting in the good will humanitie and courteous fauour of the honest readers I will now attempt somewhat more circumspectly to finde out Prince Arthures Originall euen from the very egge Est locus Abrini sinuoso littore ponti Rupe situs media refluus quem circuit aestus Fulminat hic laté turrito vertice Castrum Nomine Tindagium veteres dixere Corini A place there is ith' winding shoare of th' Abryne Sea by name Scituate in middest of a rocke wheare ebbing ryde the same Enuironeth A Castle here with towery top shines bright By auncient Cornish mē so called which Tintagill tho hight A Constant same is there giuen out by the voyce of manie and also confirmed with the wrytinges of Learned men that Gorloys the Gouernour of Cornewale had heere his habytation for him and his He had to wife Igerna a woman no doubt of most louely Feature but of an Improbate or vitious Chastitie Hether somewhat oftener for recreation of his minde repayred Vther kinge of the Brittaines and surnamed Pendragon So called for his Serpentine or subtile wisedome as I suppose whose friendlie wellwiller Gorloys also was Architrenius in his fifth booke if I count aright writes these verses Hoc trifido mundum Corinei postera sole Irradiat Pubes quartique puerpera Phoebi Pullulat Arturum facie dum falso adulter Tintagoll irrumpit nec amoris Pendragon aestum Vincit omnificas Merlini consulit artes Mentiturque Ducis habitus Rege latenti Induit absentis presenti Gorloys ora The after coming youth lightens the world of Coriney With his three clouē sonne she that brought forth at that day The fourth Phoebus broght forth Arthur whilst the adulterer he Euen Tintagol so false of face brake in most wickedly Neither Pendragon vanquished the flaming fire of Loue But Merlins artes so manifold by counsel seekes to proue And counterfeites the Dukes attyre as while the King did gles◠Thus He put on the present face of absent Duke Gorloys CUstome acquaintance and companying together doe sette loue one sire And because as a certaine Poet sayth Lis est cum forma magna Pudicitiae that is Twixt Comelinesse and Chastitie greate Debate there seemes to bee Lust gotte the mastery ouer Igernaes Chastitie Wherevppon also afterwardes Arthure was begotten of her together with a beautifull virgin named Anna. It must not heere bee omitted whereof Hector Boetius makes relation namelie that Vther at length slue Gorloys as hee was fighting in the behalfe of Nothaleos Gouernour agaynst the Saxonnes and forsaken of him that euen the rather hee might more freely obtayne his will of Igerna But the name of Arthures is knowne to bee noble with the Romaynes yea and also familyer amongest them that from hence Iuuenall the Poet in his third Satyre writeth these Cedamus Patria Viuant Arturius istic Catulus Frō our Countrie depart let vs There Arthure liue Catulus Samuell the Brittish writer describeth the starre Arcturus so called Per Cappa ad vrsam alluding that hee taketh his name or significatiō thereof from the Greeke Originall But here it ought not to redounde vnto Arthures preiudice or reproch that the father being an adulterer did leaue after him a sonne borne to valiant courage prosperitie triumphant victories seeing he was not in fault that he the lesse proceeded frō lawfull matrimony seeing that he afterwardes proued both a valiant and honest person Nam genus Proauos quae non fecimus ipsi Vix ea nostra puto For kindred forefathers eke which we Haue not begun I scarce thinke ours to be How greatly also the childe prospered in vertue it then appeared what time his father who had florished in strength Counsell and Judgemente also not without Glorie dedeparted out of this life at Verolamium hauing ordayned beefore the dignitie Royall vnto his base gotten sonne because he had none borne in lawfull matrimony CHAP. II. K. Arthures Coronation THe history of Brittaine affirmeth that Arthure began his Raigne ouer the Islandes of this kingdome in the xv yeere of his age and was crowned of Dubritius Bishop of the City of Caerlegion vpon Vske in Wales Johanues y ◠writer of the goldē history seemeth to accounte vpō xviii yeeres when Arthure ascended vp to the Roayll seate Scalaecronica of which booke as I am moued by coniecture one Gray was Authour doe say that Arthure receaued the dignitie of his crowne at Venta alîas Caerguent now called Winchester The two rulers of the Pictes and Scots viz. Lotho vnto whome Anne the sister of Aurelius Ambrosius king of Brittaines was maried and Conranus vnto whome Ada the sister of Anne was espoused began to enuy at the same so ioyfull prosperitie of Arthure for both of them but especially Lotho aspyred vnto the Dominion of Brittaine Heereuppon followed afterwardes that hee ioyning vnto him Osca otherwise Occa a most filthye person made warre against Arthure At length the matter came to hande stroakes and the Pict beeing ouercome had the worse successe partly by the helpe or furtherance of the most inuincible Hoel who plaied the Captaines parte there The little booke of the Empyre of the Brittaynes and English men vpon the Scottes their friendly wellwillers affirmeth this victory to bee obtayned at Yorke by the saide Hoel And that the Scottes beeing vanquished Arthure left the auncyent Dominions by petitions beeing so moued vnder the rule of his friende Augusellus whom hee made Gouernour ouer them Neither did better fortune happen vnto the Saxonnes when as Colgrino the Duke was slaine and Baldricus with Childricke fledde away After victorie ensewed Concord Lotho yeelded him selfe vnto the Brittaynes Mordred and Galloambieuinus the Sonnes of Lothon by Anne besought Arthure of fauour pardon by wonderfull meanes and at length were made friendes In the meane season had Arthure married Guenhera daughter vnto
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