or Armes but when he came to meet a greater number than his own forces at least equally furnish'd with necessaries and almost as good Disciplin'd he sustain'd the loss at Dyrrachuum where if it had been well followed a period had been set to his glories But in the end he overcame Pompey by the advantage of his cunning in mixing certain cohorts of Foot with his Horse and then meeting the confident precipitancy of the ungovernable Nobility of Rome against whom he fought Caesar in Spain after meeting with many Romanes of Discipline and Provision somewhat like his own Army under Pompey's Sons he professed he then fought for his life whereas heretofore he had contended for honour Bajazett the Turkish Emperour with a great Army excellent Discipline and well provided made considerable Conquests but when Tamberlaine with an Army greater and Discipline and necessaries at least equal he was not long before he did encage him Scanderbegge did singular exploits with a few choice men but it is observable he found the inconvenience of a small Territory as Epirus was and in the cloze of his years made it his principal care to fortifie himself with alliances by way of Supply to that deficiency We must not deny that where the numbers are great without good Discipline and stores it breeds confusion and hastens destruction as on the other hand an Army or Countrie never did exceed in number such a proportion as was beyond the capacity of good Discipline many great Monarchies of the World and the March of Tamberlaine in exact order are manifest examples and arguments 8. PRovisions are the next thing necessary to make a flourishing Nation they are such as these plenty of Flesh and Corn Iron Brass Wood for Fuel Ship-sides and Masts Hemp Pitch Tarr the materials of Powder if they are not all produceable from the ground that they be not farr off and that there be conveniency of Carriage for them the chief whereof is Water Hence it is that all great Governments have had their Capital Seats in Plentifull Countries which are well stored with convenient Provisions and for what they want have the benefit of water for quick and easie Carriage The Romans were seated on a rich Soyle and not far from the Mediterranean and the Neighbouring Seas places of the most convenient Navigation in this part of the World at those times in respect of the extent thereof and quietness the Mariners Compass not being then invented The Eastern Empire upon the same the Turkish at this day before them the Aegyptian and Carthaginian and few if any great Towns of note are not upon or near good Rivers or the Sea it self It is observable the ground the Romans conquered was chiefly upon the skirts of those Seas through which they could the more commodiously send and receive supplyes and the Emperours were forc'd to withdraw first from the places most remote from the Seas Since the invention of the Mariners Needle there are other more commodious for Navigation and a more proper seat than that is where the Winds and Tides are more stirring since Seamen by the benefit of the Compass can guide themselves in the day without the sight of the Sun or Land-marks and in the Night without benefit of Stars or Fire unless at some special places and times 9. IF the People have a good government are many in number and well provided yet especially till there are good constitutions of Laws if there be not a good election among the Officers those advantages for such time will be rendred the less significant We shall find the same Nation sometime victorious and the World trembling under them and one would think at first sight it proceeded from the nature of the people and in the turn of a hand upon the alteration of a Prince or his affections grow degenerate and effeminate the Government People and Stores still the same and e converso a sluggish People after a time victorious Now seeing Princes act chiefly by their Ministers and Officers and that they have to do generally with all their Neighbours for otherwise it might arise from the condition of some without it cannot arise from any other more considerable cause than the want of good choice In the one Men of Vertue appear uppermost who give an universal reputation to their Country in the other these by degrees are thrust down and such shew themselves who in the management of business bring an ignominious report upon the whole Nation Edward the third in his first time and Henry the fifth of England in his last opur Chronicles make honourable mention of with great admiration of their Valour and Conquests in France and our happiness then at home and with as great sorrow and reflections on their other times and on both their Successors But if men of virtue are chosen who are the spirit and life of a Commonwealth yet we see Fortune now and then will be shewing her self but not oft and so we may the better bear her insolencies But against the apprehensions of men God Almighty will and does those things oft times by his extraordinary providence that seem to differ not only from the course of nature but of reason who of his mercy by devout applications may notwithstanding be appeased 10. AT this day in this part of the World it may be there is not any Nation so near compleat in many of the former particulars as this of England If we compare it with the Low Countries the Crown of England has more Men more Provisions of some sort of its Native production and may have as many of any other better seated the Country of a larger extent add to this that here cannot easily be diversions by a Land Invasion As to their Government sithence it has much of a republique were it not that they fix their thoughts without upon fear of danger the caement of republiques it is likely they would divide and settle on one another the usual fate of such governments as it fell out to Rome in the dayes of Scylla Marius Caesar c. for having overcome a great part of the World and amongst the rest the Carthaginians a powerfull Neighbour they fell to Civil Wars as was foretold by a Senatour and thereupon were advised not utterly to destroy but to leave that Government as an awe upon their State to prevent divisions at home War abroad is the Interest of Republiques the Low Countries to the wonder of Queen Elizabeths dayes thriving like Salamanders in the fire of contention If we compare the King of England with the French it is obvious they have neither so convenient Ports nor are so well seated we lying betwixt them and the North where the greatest stores are for Naval employments adde to this that the form of their government and nature of the people indisposes them to business on the Seas Take this out of Sir Walter Rawleigh as Popaelynire well observeth The Forces of Princes by Sea are
very useful the one to the other Agricola suspecting the Britains might have advantage upon him in number divided his Army into three Parts making his March with some Considerable distances thereby thinking to prevent his being encompassed with a multitude a manifest errour doubtless against a new Enemy whose valour he had not yet try'd as appeared by the Consequence though he might guess shewdly at them by what he had found in the rest for which Tacitus makes an excuse that he had heard the Britains were divided into Parties and did intend so to set upon him They taking this advantage in the dead of the Night set upon the Ninth Legion being somewhat weak of it self and with good success for they kill the Watch enter the Camp and therein Fight it manfully with the Romans and had in all probability cut them off if Agricola having notice of this accidentally by his Scouts had not sent the lighter-Armed with all expedition before hand to their succour and followed himself with the Legions When the Battail was at last before and behind the Britains after a bloody Fight in the entrance of the Camp the Day appearing and the Legions also fled into the Woods Tacitus tells us that at the beginning of the Summer several of his Officers upon a report of the Power of the Enemy did advise him to retreat within the bounds of the formerly intended Province for his security suspecting very much the danger but after this Victory the very same did chiefly arrogate to themselves the glory of that battle an infirmity common to many Men of that disposition to this day The Britains with a noble resolution did attribute the loss of this day not to the valour but craft and fortune of the Roman General With this conceit they make very much greater Preparations confederate themselves by Solemn Rites and convey their Wives and Children into places of safety intending in a Field to try their fortune again with their new-rais'd Forces The Britains had thirty thousand Men designed for the main Battail besides many young and old Voluntiers who out of an honourable resolution came to partake in the fortune of a Day over whom Galgacus of great descent and virtue to be mentioned not without honour to his name commanded in Chief They took up their ground upon the declining of the Hill Grampius now Grantzbain the first Battalion stood upon the Plain the Chariots and Horse passing up and down with great noise before the Battail expecting the Romans The Romans having sent their Fleet before by frequent and uncertain Landings as they did some other mischief so they could not but make some distraction upon the Britains but at last Agricola takes his March directly to them that were prepar'd to receive him having with him certain of the Country whose faith and courage was a long time known to be truer to the Romans than to their own Nation His Battail he orders thus eight thousand Auxiliaries were placed in a Body and in the Van on each Wing three thousand Horse were divided in the Rear his Legionaries were the whole Front being extended beyond a just and usual proportion Agricola thinking thereby to prevent surrounding by the Enemy which over-numbered him The Speech of Galgacus as it is delivered by Tacitus is to this purpose When I consider the cause of this War and our necessary I am greatly confident this day and this your consent will give a happy beginning to the freedome of the whole Island We all have hitherto lived in Liberty and moreover no Land remaineth beyond and no Sea for our safety the Roman Navy thus as you see hanging on our Coasts So that Arms which Men of virtue desire for honour the faint-hearted must also use for his security The former Battails which have with divers events been fought against the Romans had their hope and reserves in our hands For we the choice of the British Nobility and seated in the furthermost recesses never yet had view of the enslaved shoares nor were our eyes offended with the sight of subjection This inward bosome hath defended us the boundary of Land and Liberty for this Day of Glory Now the uttermost point of the Country is laid open and things the less they have been within knowledge the greater the glory is to atchieve them What Nation is there now beyond us what else but Water and Rocks and the Romans Lords of all within whose intollerable pride in vain shall you seek to avoid by service or submiss demeanour Robbers of the World that having now left no Land to plunder search also the Sea it self If the Enemy be rich they are greedy of his wealth if poor they covet glory whom not the East nor West have satisfied they only of all Men with equal lust affecting riches and vanity To rob kill and commit rapine falsly they terme Empire and when they have brought desolation to a Country they call it Peace Children and neer Relations every Man by nature holdeth most dear and those are pressed for Souldiers and carryed away to serve in a slavish condition Sisters and Wives though they may escape an open ravishment are notwithstanding frequently prostituted when they come as Guests and pretend friendship The goods and substance of the Conquered they exhaust with Tributes and rob them of their Corn to supply their Garrisons wearying out their Hands and Bodies in preparing Woods and Fenny places for their purposes with a thousand stripes and indignities Slaves which are born to bondage when they are once sold are after maintained at their Masters expences but Britain daily buyeth her own bondage and is at the charge of continuing it Now as in a private retinue the fresh man and last comer is most abused by his very fellow-servants So in this old servitude of the World our destruction is sought being the latest and is most vile in account We have no Fields to manure no Mines to be digged no Ports to trade in and to what purpose then should they reserve us alive Moreover the man-hood and fierce courage of the Subject pleaseth not much the jealous Soveraign and this corner being so secret and out of the way the more security it yieldeth to us in them it works the greater suspicion So seeing all hope of pardon is past at length all of you take courage as well these to whom safety as such to whom glory is in greatest esteem The Britains led by a Woman fired the Colony forced the Castles and if such a lucky beginning had not ended in sloath and security they might have with ease shak't off the Yoak We as yet never touched never subdued and born to be free not to be Slaves to the Romans let us shew streight in the first joyning what manner of Men Caledonia reserved in store for her self Or do you think the Romans to be as valiant in War as they are wanton in Peace No not by their virtue but by our discords
the disorder of his Men disperst in several Ships which did draw much Water and so of greater inconvenience At first he made his attempt without any curious regard to the manner of doing it not expecting any considerable resistance from naked Men but not long after finding it otherways and being of quick apprehension he ordered divers of those Ships which were not of burden to be manned with missive Weapons and plac'd on the Flanks of the Enemy others that did draw less Water to pass up and down and relieve such as at their Landing were opprest which contrivance was of excellent benefit to him The Britains on the other side notwithstanding this maintained the Battail with great courage and resolution insomuch that the Romans began to fail of their usual forwardness This was observed by Caesar Himself who did that day perform all the parts of an able General making singular benefit of his small shot and was taken notice of also by many others and particularly by a Roman Ensign who carried the Eagle of the tenth Legion he seeing the report of their peculiar Fame at stake leaps out of his Ship with the Eagle in his hand and first praying to the gods that what he was undertaking might prove happy to the Legion calls upon the daunted and lingering Souldiers to follow him unless they did intend to betray their Eagle to the Enemy for his own part he was resolved to do his duty to his Country and his General Upon this the Legion provok'd upon the apprehensions of dishonour in the loss thereof began one after another to follow him and the Fight being again renewed which was at a stay before when the Romans came at last to firm ground it fell out as might be feared that the valiant but unarmed Britains did retreat their natural Skins in a close Fight especially being an unfitting match to the Romane heavy Corslets at such time chiefly as they were to encounter the most choice and victorious Souldiers under the most able General one of them that ever the World had I call it rather a Retreat than Flight though there were great disorder in it because no chace was made for want of Horse who were delay'd in their passage by several accidents The Britains crave Peace but on a Disaster to the Roman Fleet take New Councils UPon this apparent Discovery of the inequality in the match betwixt the Roman and Britain Arms and Discipline these with a general consent resolve to make their best terms and submit and to that purpose send back Comius of Arras before mentioned with some of their own Country as Embassadors thinking by the one to moderate Caesar's anger and by the other in consequence to procure a Peace At their coming they excuse their resisting Him imputing it chiefly to the humour of the multitude and tender Hostages as a security of their Obedience for the future Caesar having first expostulated with them the breach of their promise not to oppose him at his Landing accepts of their Propositions and accordingly their Forces sever many going home to their own Countries Pursuant thereunto also several Hostages from the Neighbour States are brought into the Camp the rest being somewhat further off daily coming and others expected when on a sudden an accident fell out which gave the Britains new and hopeful resolutions As it was observed before the Horse by reason of contrary Winds could not come up to Port Iccius when Caesar loosed Anchor being some miles of and not using a speedy course to Embarque and take opportunity of the same Wind that he did by delay the Gale became weaker and they had spent four days before they were within view of the Romans in Britain and then on a sudden arose a violent storm which disperst them some being forc'd immediatly to return to the Gallique Coasts others endeavouring to Anchor on the Brittish proving very leaky were compelled to weigh again and endeavour in the Night for the Shoar from whence they came a time very dangerous then especially for Navigation It fell out likewise that those Ships which were with Caesar part whereof were drawn on the Shoar were extreamly broken with the Tempest and some made utterly unserviceable These things were to the Romans an occasion of sad thoughts but to the Britains of comfortable expectation for it was apprehended on all hands that if they should Winter in Gallia the Ships were wanting that should transport them and if in Britain the Corn was not to be had which might sufficiently maintain them and the Horse which would be very convenient and almost necessary to the providing any considerable stores was absent To this the Britains had an opinion that the Romans were fewer in number than in truth they were collecting it from the smallness of their Camp which Caesar had contracted for the ease of his Souldiers to less then the usual bounds because he had not so many Carriages as Armies did commonly march with The Roman General on the one hand having these things in his mind and suspecting what the Britains might do upon this grand alteration especially from the delay was made in sending in the compleat number of Hostages takes great care to provide against the danger and thereupon causes Corn to be daily brought in from the Neighbouring Fields where some was standing and sends for materials out of Gallia to repair his Ships which by his great industry and the laborious toile of his Souldiers he brought to this effect that all but twelve were made able to abide the Sea On the other hand the Britains resolve to renew the War upon this accident but judiciously determine not to sight the Romans in a set Battail the experience of which they had had before but to peece the Foxes Tayle to the Lions Skin and draw the Warre out till Winter to disturb them as they did see occasion in their forraging at some time or another hoping to have a favourable opportunity to ruine them suppress't they thought almost to their hand by the want of necessaries concluding that if they could destroy these it would be a great discouragement to all others to make any further such attempt upon them for the future and hereupon they that were in Caesar's Camp of the Britains withdrew themselves by degrees out of it Not long after the Roman Foot having reapt all the Corn of a Field except a small piece close by certain Wood sides the Britains guest they would come to it the next day Whereupon in the dead of the night before they convey a great part of their Forces into the Covert expecting the Enemy would appear and forrage which accordingly fell out as was imagined for the seventh Legion was sent to cut it and carry it away and when they came laying down their Arms fell hard to their Harvest suspecting not in the least the Ambuscado The Britains having fortune in their lap arise and fall with great resolution on them in
wild Beasts and what might be had from Kine and the natural productions of the Earth which were in less degree subject to such Inconveniencies and the Hides were of great advantage for Coverings and several other purposes As to their dwelling Places how vain would it be for any Man to spend a considerable part of his substance in building a House which would be immediatly subject to prostitution by irruptions of an Enemy and Wood is so far from being an Argument of a barbarous People in the sense it is usually receiv'd that we may more truly say it is a considerable and judicious protection for Men and Cattle in a small Territory a little Country being apt to be over-run and spoyl'd in few days where all things generally are uncovered and with small defence But to come to the History Caesar ' s Design to invade Britany JVlius Caesar abounding in the thoughts of Conquest and Glory after he had made considerable atchievements in Gallia and Germany about fifty years before the account used in England fifty four some have said takes upon him a resolution to Invade the Britains moved to it upon expectation of Riches by the plunder of a large and unexhausted Country Money being necessary in great Undertakings and Caesar had then in his mind such as were of no small dimension The Pearles of this Country were in great report in those days amongst the Romans whether by mistake or that there are none here in the latter Ages equalling the former is uncertain But he gave out that the Britains in the Warres of Gallia had assisted the Galls and made that the pretence of his Invasion The notice of Caesar's intentions being come to the Britains several of their States sent Embassadors to him with tender of submission to the Roman Authority and offer Hostages for their security to whom Caesar was courteous commending their resolutions and exhorted them to constancy therein but would not desist his former designs this notwithstanding but sent them away with one Comius whom he had made Prince of the Atrebatij a Person of Judgment and Fidelity with directions to him to manage an Interest amongst the States of Britain according to certain Instructions he had received from Caesar This did not please the Britains so when they came to Land it was resolved to lay him in Irons and effected accordingly with an unanimous resolution contriving to defend themselves like Men against the power of those whose greediness and ambition by submitting they could not satisfie Caesar could not get knowledge to any satisfaction of the People their ways of Fight their Laws Ports or Forces only some superficial Information he had by certain Merchants thereupon he sends Caius Volusenus in a Vessel to make some discovery who return'd after five days disquisition and gave Caesar an account of what he had taken notice of which could not be considerable sithence he did not dare to land because of the Enemy on the Coast prepared to receive him What with Caesar's Warres on the Continent that Summer which he had but newly pass't over and what with his preparing for an Invasion by Sea which must the rather spend him the more time because it was out of his customary way of fighting it fell out that he could not be ready to Ship his Men till neer Winter for this very reason somewhat the more inconvenient to him because he was to pass an Army of Southern Men into a more Northern Climate as also because of his return by Sea for so he must in respect of Winter Provision which was not to be had but in Gallia the Seas being at the following Season more rough and unconstant which an Army is less able to endure because they are in danger of being disperst the confusion of many Naval designs of this nature but notwithstanding Caesar trusting to his wonted fortune was resolved to undertake it and satisfies himself with an apprehension that if he could but make a discovery it might recompence his journey by the advantage he might gain in his preparations for another Summers expedition His Preparations Voyage and Landing THe Galls and Germans being but newly quieted and apt on all occasions especially the first to express their distaste of that subjection with which as yet they had not well been acquainted he thereupon left a great party in Gallia where he had most suspition and in those places whither he intended at his return to arrive and strongly fortified the Port called then Iccius not farre from the now Callis if not the same from whence he did intend to set sayl as he had design'd likewise to come back to it Two Legions of Foot which might each contain about 5000 for they were somewhat uncertain in their number he resolv'd to transport and certain Horse which if they were the proportion that was usually with two Legions might be about a 1000. The Foot lay at the Port before mentioned with whom Caesar was in Person and eighty Ships of burden to carry them over 18 more he intended for the Horse which together with that lesser Fleet were some few Leagues distant and by reason of contrary winds could not come up to him before he was in his passage to the Island with the other part of the Navy He had also with him several Gallies as we may call them or Ships of War to what number is not known During his expectation of the Horse the Wind blowed fair which opportunity not willing to lose he thereupon ships his Foot and weighing Anchor sets sayl somewhat pass't midnight sending to the Horse commands to do the like and follow and comes himself with the best Sailors within view of the Island somewhat before Noon the next Day The Coast where he arrived was unfit to Land his Men on the Rocks hanging over the Sea and consequently of more advantage to the Defenders than Assaylors the rather because the Britains might make great use of their missive Weapons so he casts Anchor and stays till the rest of his Fleet which set sayl with him came up which was two or three hours after Noon when they were neer he sends for his principal Officers aboard him and acquaints them with what Volusenus had discovered telling them further his Intentions to try for a more favourable Shoar and gives them particular Instructions what they should do inculcating to them above all the necessity of being exact in their duties on that unstable Element of the Sea The Wind and Tide serving Him he weighs Anchor and sets Saile again and within a small time comes to a place not far distant where was a plain and open Shore proper to land his Men on about Deale in Kent as is supposed by several Circumstances The Britains who attended Caesar at his Anchor observing his motion send their Horse and Chariots being Lighter of march before hand and follow with their Infantry Caesar had the usual difficulties to encounter with at his landing especially
almost constantly with success but was not without violencies of lust and ambition in the prosecuting his designs not shewing at all times that due reverence to the Power above or respect to man-kinde as became a Person of his endowments from nature After great contendings amongst his Country-men not without a large effusion of blood and slaughter being arrived at a high pitch of Power and fame in the glory of the Roman state the Senate House in the close of all his labours and toiles when he expected to have received some fruits of his sweat and pains he was murdered at the foot of his Son-in-Law Pompey's Image whom not long before he had ruined with above twenty wounds his neer relation Brutus whom once he intended a great share of his estate being a principal contriver and that Brutus the Son of Servilia supposed to be his base Childe giving him a mortal stab in the bottome of his belly The State of Britain during the time of Augustus Tiberius and Caligula UPon the return of Caesar as was before mentioned to the Continent the civil Wars of Rome hapned the principal of their Common-wealth falling out about dividing the plunder and riches which in several Ages their Country-men had been acquiring during which time the Britains had respite from their Invasions Upon the death of Caesar Augustus after he had contended with M. Anthony and became Superior not only to him but all of a contrary faction in Rome did affect a quiet and peaceable life supposing it not convenient as he gave out to enlarge the Romane Empire big enough for management already and thereupon the Britains had stil the greater security But the tribute set down by Julius Caesar being neglected to be paid twice or thrice he intended an Invasion disdaining to be baffled by a Country of little note in those days but being on his march in Person was diverted by revolts on some other remote borders of his Dominions and withall pacified by some British Embassadors who renewed their conditions Tiberius who succeeded him had the same resolutions but was on different reasons moved to it choosing rather to attend his lust and cruelties at home than look abroad into forreign Countrys Him followed Caligula in the supream Authority a Prince dissolute and abounding in vain conceits as do witness his solemn message to the Senate of Rome of the Conquest of Britain when neither he or any of his Officers ever set foot thereon The colour was the receiving of Adminius a fugitive Britain the Son of Cunobeline a Prince in this Island who fled from his Fathers angel and submitted himself to Caligula In his Raign nothing fell out worthy to be reported in the British History unless one should remember his frivolous attempt upon the Ocean at such time as all Men did generally presume he intended to imbarque for Britain the Story whereof take from Suetonius in his own words thus translated Last of all as if he were undertaking a War marching with his Army on the Sea shoar and placing his Engines of battery no Man knowing or imagining what he was about to do on a sudden commands them to fill their Helmets and their Laps with Shells calling them the Spoils of the Ocean of right a due to the Capitol and Palace and as a Trophy of his Victory erects a most high Tower out of which as from a Pharus Fires might every night shine to direct the course of Sea-men and having declared a donative of a hundred donaries to every Man as if he had exceeded all examples of liberality bids them depart now joyfull depart with plenty Vnder Claudius by the conduct of A. Plautius ALI this while it appears not to the contrary but that the Britains who paid their tribute enjoyed aswell as the rest of their Country-men their Laws Customes and Liberties During this long intermission from disturbance being divided into many petty Kingdomes and Nations they were frequently among themselves at War in one place or another one Interest prevailing sometimes and at another a different and upon Victory many of the adverse party either were banished or fled of themselves And so it fell out that Glaudius succeeding Caligula one Berieus being a British fugitive instigated him to make an attempt on the Island which Glaudius did well like of and thereupon sent Orders to A. Plautius to transport those Souldiers which he then commanded in Gallia into this Country the Souldiery were very unwilling to go and trifled away their time in a kinde of mutiny insomuch that Caesar hearing thereof sent Narcissus his freed man to hasten their imbarquing which he accordingly did but not without disdain in them and a contempt of him in respect of his former condition having been once a Slave The Army was divided into three bodies intending thereby that if they were obstructed in one place by the difficulty thereof or the strength of the Enemy they might some of them land in another Having put to Sea they met with cross Winds and foul weather which was the cause of great disturbance but a light darting toward the Island from the place whence they put to Sea certain who had good wishes for the journey interpreted it as a direction from some God that favoured their enterprize and so encouraged the Fleet which strugling with the violence of the Tempest they at last landed on the British Coasts The Britains not suspecting their arrival because of the disorder they heard was among the Roman Army in Gallia which was before mentioned did not oppose their landing moreover their civil contentions being lately sharp they could not suddenly make such a confederacy as might probably encounter with a good expectation the force of the Romans at peace and marvelously strong in all parts So they retired into places that were woody and full of bogs expecting as Dion says to weary out the Romans as Cassibelan their former General had done heretofore with Julius Caesar Plautius bestows great labour in finding out their scattered Forces and meets with some to wit with Cataratacus and Togodumnus the two Sons of Cunobeline lately dead whom he easily dissipates and withall practises to head some of their factions against the other following the example of Julius Caesar a thing not difficult in a Country divided into such a multitude of Nations as Britany then was And he finds one proper for his purpose amongst the Boduni or Dobuni seated about Oxford and Glocester shires whom he receives into his protection having been before subject to the Catuellani a Nation about Buckingham and the Country of Hartford Leaving a Garrison among them he marches to a River intending a passage over to finde out certain other Britains who lay in security beyond it suspecting likewise nothing because they thought the Romans could not get to the other side being the Water was deep and that there was no Bridge but Plautius having Germans with him who were accustomed to Swim through Rivers in Arms
he sent them over first who falling upon the Britains unexpectedly did them much mischief especially by wounding their Horses that drew their Chariots which in their encountrings they did chiefly aime at Flavius Vespasian and Sabinus also followed and kill'd many not apprehensive thereof till it was too late But this notwithstanding they rallied together and by the benefit of the night got into some order and gave them Battail the next day with great courage which was for some time doubtful But the few and naked Britains by their divisions less able did yield to the heavy Armed united and well disciplined Romans though like enough they were equal if not superiour to them in personal resolutions Upon their flight they pass over the River of Thames being acquainted with it better than the Romans at a place not far from that where it delivers it self into the Sea The Romans followed and the Germans again take the Water others go over at a Bridge somewhat higher and encompassing the Britains give them a great slaughter which was yet in some measure repaid by the Britains who having kept their Courage though they lost the Battail destroyed many of their Enemies following the Chase too far among the Bogs but Togodumnus was slain But this is said rather to inflame than abate the Britain resolutions for they now having got some time to consider of their affairs put themselves as is reported seriously to work to defend their Liberties in a more formidable manner than heretofore they had done whereupon Plautius according to his Instructions if any thing of danger should happen as Dion delivers it endeavours the security of what he had got and sends to Claudius for his direction in the danger approaching He upon this news puts the affairs he had at Rome in order and comes partly by Land and a considerable way by Sea where he was in great danger by Tempests to his Army expecting him at the River of Thames Soon after he was with them he passes the River gives the Britains Battail and vanquisheth them takes the City Camalodunum supposed to be the now Maldon in Essex the then regal Seat of Cunobeline others upon their submission he receives to mercy disarms many and leaves Plautius to subdue more with these doubts also behind him to after Ages whether he came thither upon a vanity affecting a Tryumph and other memories of honour or that in truth Plautius was hard laid to and withall no less disputable whether so much as any considerable Battail was fought the Britains like enough yielding upon the extraordinary preparations of the Romans and good tearms offered them for the confiscation of their goods was remitted Caesar staid here about sixteen days what was done after his return by Plautius is not much taken notice of but I should think the Conquest of the West about Cornwall Somersetshire and Devonshire was now perfected sithence mention is made of his Inroads there toward the Isle of Wight and I remember not any particular other discourse of their yielding For the spoils and acquisitions here taken upon his return to Rome Claudius did him publick honour And now is the first time that the Romans may have been said to have taken any possession of this Country which was about the Year of Grace 44 or 5. P. Ostorius succeeds Plautius OStorius was the next that succeeded A. Plautius for ought we know of any account in authentick History to the contrary At his coming he found those Britains who had conspired with the Romans to the destruction of their Country or had made any League or submission to them over-run by such who were faithful to their Native Soile and had not submitted and much waste made in their Fields not being apprehensive of the Roman Forces the rather because their General was not acquainted as yet with his business and in this colder Climate Winter being begun they suspected not much action Ostorius observing this takes with him certain Cohorts which were most expedite and ready for his purpose and sets upon the Britains unexpectedly routing those that resist and chasing them that flie It should seem that the Romans from the former War had confederacy with or possession of so much Land as lay from the River Sabrine and Anton with bounds from the Ocean to the Sea These two Rivers do almost meet and within their compass Southward lies a very wealthy and rich part of the Island Now it appears Ostorius intending to secure what was gain'd rather than to inlarge the Roman Conquests designed to Fortifie and close them as it were with Garrisons The words of Tacitus are Cinctosque castris Antonam Sabrinam fluvids cohibere parat c. The Sabrine is well known to be the River Severn but this Anton is much doubted of Mr. Cambden would have it be the River Nen and that in Tacitus it is transcribed amiss and should be Aufonam the Avon upon a supposition that the Britains call all Rivers Avon and so Northampton should stand on the North of the Avon but I doubt thereof because it seems not much probable if that River had been ever us'd to have been call'd the Avon as I finde not and at this day Men I fear think not of such a name the word Northampton seeming rather to infer that it is a Town on the North side of a Ham or Hame the word Ham signifying generally a hook from Hamus and applicable frequently to hooks of Water so this Town standing on the North side of a hook of water may have thence its name as Southampton from a hook of Water in the South of the Town I take it that by Anton is meant the River Trent because it is a more considerable River and fit to bear a name of note without particular distinction as did that of Severne it is accounted the third River of England and proper to joyn hands with the other for a boundary to a Roman Province as it was after upon the division betwixt the North and South Nor is the name now utterly lost for there is a River to this day flowing into the Head thereof called Derwent there is a House of considerable regard called Trentum and several Towns upon it ending in Anton and of a sound little differing now Dwr or Dour in British signifies Water and so by vulgar contraction it might be Dwrent or Trent that is the Water of Ent for Anton. These are but conjectures and we may have mistaken because the evidence is not perspicuous and I should not have made so many words hereof but for the former some reasons following and that it agrees better likewise with the History it self of the transactions upon these parts But I will pursue this no further it being not very much material which it was The Iceni being within this Line did doubtless suspect they might be subjected at last after the Romans were at leasure to conquer them as well as they had the rest who
Mona the Isle of Anglesey and it should seem had not there so perfected his business but that Agricola thought it might be matter of profit to the Romans and honour to himself to confirm the Conquest whereupon he marches next way thither and wanting Ships upon so suddain a Resolution he contrives to Swim and Foard over that narrow Water which makes an Island of it distinct from the other Country of Wales with his Auxiliaries accustomed to such Services The People remembring their former misery and how that if they could not withstand the Romans when they had a less apprehension of them they were not likely when they had enlarged their Province without disputing so much as their passage Surrendred the Island to the mercy of those that they could not probably resist with hopes of success The Winter following he contrives to secure what was gained and among other of his Resolutions two he did take of especial benefit to the Roman Peace the one was in the Tributes and Exactions upon the Britains he took care that there should be an equality and corrected all those petty Oppressions in the collecting them which usually are more grievous than the burden it self and as to the Roman Army he made Election of Officers according to Merit and not by Bribes and affection and recommendation whereby he rendred it very considerable for the next Expedition Summer being come he assembles them together and first in discourses intermixing commendations and chidings as they had done well or ill takes afterwards his march from one Country to another up and down those Places which were either not as yet Conquered or would not willingly submit to Conditions making great destruction When the Summer was almost spent he courts them with good words and forbearance of Acts of Hostility into tearms of Peace which they willingly at last accepted the Game inclining altogether on the Roman side So a Peace is made with them Hostages are given on the Britains part for the security thereof and several Garrisons planted on their Borders with great Judgment which became a strait and sharp bridle to the Britains The Winter following he made a greater Conquest then he had done the Summer before but it was of a different nature The Britains divided into petty Nations had frequent Wars one upon another So that Houses of value to have been built would have been ridiculous seeing in the frequency of their Wars they could not have long stood free from Fire and thereupon many other blandishments as of Gardens and Orchards c. were neglected likewise Their thoughts being active and not taken up with these things would be with somewhat else and nothing was more obvious than the matter of War whereto they gave their minds upon some necessity also and in that Military Discipline which was proper for petty Nations in Woody and Boggy Countrys as this then was They were excellent in Art and well fitted with strong resolute and hardy Bodies Agricola did not much fear an open Invasion from a People weak by their Divisions and naked and amongst whom there were many Trayterous to their Country even Princes themselves corrupted by the Romans yet he might expect great disturbance in parties out of the Woods which would much obstruct the quiet of the Country and might destroy the Fruits of the Land Hereupon he gets together about him many of the chief Nobility commending to them the pleasure and delight of a civil life in fine Buildings neat Cloaths Comptness of Language which some affecting naturally and others the rather to please the General do observe and follow Some distast these things whom he disgraces and villifies but the other he commends and gives them encouragement by granting assistance thereunto By these means he softned the Nation and made them more lyable to the Impressions of the Roman steel upon all disturbances And of Consequence rendred their Province more secure The next Summer he spent in a March Northwardly Conquering several Nations that is to say destroying their Country and killing many where he met them or they would attempt to set upon either his Army or a party thereof but this was sparingly done for whether the Britains were terrified at the apprehensions of the Romans or this so great an Army or that they had experimented a plain Field sufficiently to their sorrow already or that they hoped to protract the War till Winter expecting then to make use of the advantage they had by their light Arming or for some or all these Reasons they never attempted to joyn their Forces and to give Battail but divided in Woods and Bogs and places inaccessable make now and then some Incursions on the Romans but with no considerable effect and he foreseeing their thoughts prevented their attempts designed for Winter by fortifying divers Castles among them which was done with excellent Judgment as to the choice of the scite of the places and great Art as to the Model and stored them with a twelve Months Provision before hand so that what he gained by a strong hand he kept by prudent Managements In this Expedition he pass't beyond the Borders of Scotland that now is to a Water called Taus beyond Bodotria The next Winter the Britains assaulted several of these Castles and made some Incursions into the Roman Quarters but little mischief was done The fourth Summer was spent in securing what was gained and more especially that narrow entrance into the further part of Scotland lying between Glota and Bodotria two Arms of the opposite Seas they are now called Dun Britten and Edenburgh friths which he did with Castles and Forts as if having enlarged the Province he desired to make it the bounds of the Romane Empire that way But the fifth Summer he pass't beyond it turning on his left hand making several Conquests of Copuntrys bordering on Ireland and placed many Souldiers therein affecting a Conquest of that Island also receiving to this purpose a Prince of that Country come out upon private dissentions then amongst themselves to whom he was courteous with an intent to make such use of him as the Romans had done with several others in Britain heretofore that is to say to betray their Native Countries to the pride and Luxury of the Romans for at this time they were fallen from their ancient Virtue though Agricola himself had some more than ordinary sparks left But the sixth Summer his thoughts were taken up by a diversion on his right hand for the Britains beyond Bodotria intending to assault the Garrisons and divert his course had already begun to make some attempts by seizing the Passes and assailing certain Castles Agricola for his further security mann'd that Summer a considerable Fleet which was of great use to him in his passage into the Country for his March was by the Sea side and his sailing not far from the Land So that frequently the Souldiers both of the Navy and Army met and were in many respects