Oratorie to exercise a Monasticall life and departed the world about the yeare of Grace 110. But who were the very first teachers and at what time the Christian faith was first of all received there it is not certainely knowne howbeit it is likely as I have before remembred that in the expedition of Claudius the Emperour which was about the third yeare of his raigne and twelve yeares after the assention of our Saviour some Christians of Rome and schollers of the Apostles themselves by occasion of those warres and by reason of the entercourse of affaires betweene both Nations became first knowne to the Britans who in processe of time were drawne by the exhortations and examples of their teachers to imbrace the truth the vnblameable life of those religious men mooving sometimes even their Princes though yet vnbeleeving to protect and regard them as Lucius then began to doe Besides that the Roman Lievtenants also as well in Britannie as other Provinces did sometimes tolerate the exercise of Christian Religion as not altogether disliking it howsoever for worldly respects they forbare to shew themselves openly in favour of it But Lucius declared his inclination thereto after another manner For inwardly disliking the profane superstitions then vsed among the Romans and being informed of the great constancy vertue and patience of the Christians at Rome and other places in suffering persecution and Martyrdome for the faith of Christ whereby the number of Christians whom many men esteemed for the miracles which they wrought was contrary to common expectation daily increased that Pertinax and Treâ—ellius two worthy Senators of Rome had beene lately converted from Paganisme to Christianitie that Marcus Aurelius the Roman Emperour then raigning began to conceive a better opinion of them then himselfe and his predecessors had done and so much the rather by reason he had not long before obtained a famous victory against his enemies the prosperous event whereof he attributed to the prayers of the Christians at Rome Vpon these considerations Lucius determined to be instructed in the Religion which they professed and first of all he commanded Elvanus and Meduinus two learned men of the Brittish Nation to goe to Rome where Elutherius was then Bishop to require some meete persons to be sent into Britannie to instruct him and his people for which purpose Fugatius and Damianus were specially appointed by Elutherius with all speede to repaire thither where they afterwards not without some danger by tempest vpon the seas arrived and applied themselves both by doctrine and example to performe the charge committed vnto them the successe therein proving answerable to their endevors For the Prince and his familie was by them baptised some of the inhabitants that had formerly received the faith were confirmed therein and others that remained yet in their infidelitie were converted to Christianity CHAP. IIII. Lucius Sendeth to Rome for the Lawes of the Empire The The counsell of Elutherius Bishop of Rome touching same Idolatrie suppressed in Lucius his dominions and Ecclesiasticall iurisdiction established there The first Archbishop of London BVt Lucius the Prince having received instructions from the Sea of Rome for the direction of himselfe and his people in the profession and exercise of Christian Religion was desirous also to order his temporall estate according to the Roman policie and to that end solicited Elutherius the Bishop to send vnto him the lawes of the Empire out of which he might collect and compose some certaine ordinances for the administration of civill Iustice whereupon Elutherius sent Letters to the Prince commending therein his former zealous disposition in embracing the Truth then exhorting him to reade with humilitie and reverence the holy Scripture the divine law which he had lately received in his dominions and out of that by Gods grace and advise of faithfull Counsellors to collect meet observations for the framing of lawes necessarie for the preservation of his estate which observations so collected and lawes so framed he did affirme to be much better then the Imperiall Constitutions of the Romans or any other whatsoever that to make lawes and execute Iustice was the proper office of a Prince who was vpon earth the Vicar of God himselfe and received from him that title and authoritie to the end he should vse the same to the good of the Catholike Church and of the people living vnder his obedience Hereupon Lucius began first of all to provide for establishment of that Religion whereof he was become at the selfe same time both a professor and practiser Then was the worshipping of Images forbidden The seates of the Arch-Flamins at London Yorke and Chester were changed into the Seas of three Arch-bishops in the same places and those of the Flamins into so many Bishoprikes whereby the Temples vowed by Idolatrous Priests to prophane gods were consecrated to the service of the onely true God His temporall estate also he adorned with good profitable lawes comformable to the rule of Christian Religion whereupon ensued the blessings of Plentie and Peace in his dayes It is reported that he was founder of a Church at Cornhill in London which he dedicated to Saint Peter placing therein one Thean an Arch-bishop to have a superintendence over the other Bishops within his principalitie and that the Metropolitan seat continued there in the succession of 13. Archbishops about the space of 400. years vntil the comming of Augustine the Monk who translated the Archbishoprike from London to Canterburie And now Christianitie being thus generally received among the Britans kept on her course vntainted and without opposition till the time of Dioclesian the Emperour who kindled the fire of that raging persecution the last and longest in the Primitive Church which consumed the lives of many Christian Martyrs as well in Britannie as other places But returning to the raigne of Lucius and considering the state of Britannie vnder his government we may justly admire the felicitie of those times ascribing to the Britans for their greatest glory that among all other nations they had the happinesse to see and enjoy the first Christian Prince CHAP. V. The Northern Britans breaking downe Adrians wall vpon the borders enter and annoy the Province Vlpius Marcellus being sent by Commodus the Emperor to take charge of the armie in Britannie beateth them backe The rare vertues of Vlpius Marcellus the Governor He is dimissed of his office THis was the state of the Church in Britannie when new troubles began to the disturbance of the Province For the Northern Britans making a breach in the wall which Adrian the Emperour had built and finding the borders but weakly garded entred the Province and surprising the Roman General killed many of his Souldiers then ranging the countries they wasted and spoyled everie where without resistance till Vlpius Marcellus being sent over by Commodus the Emperour stayed their furie and with great difficultie forced them to retire within the Wall By which meanes the Province being quieted he
Britans are trecherously murdered by the Saxons vpon Salisbnrie Plaines THen Vortimer his sonne a man in disposition of his mind much vnlike his father was declared King renued the warre with the Saxons whom he encountred in a pitched field neere Ailsford in Kent In that conflict Catigern his brother and Horsa the brother of Hengist fighting hand to hand were both slaine whereby though the Saxons perished in greater number then the Britans yet by the losse of the Generals on both sides the fortune of the battaile seemed in a maner to be equall On the part of the Britans there died no man of name save onely Catigern in remembrance of whose death there was afterwards a Sepulchre of stone erected where the battaile was fought The like Monument was also built by the Saxons for Horsa their Captaine though Time hath now defaced it howbeit the memorie of the place it selfe if credite may be given to the Inhabitants there is continued among them even to this day by a small Village in East Kent yet bearing his name After this the Britans made diverse attempts vpon their enemies sometimes winning sometimes loosing and then recovering againe that which they had lost when Vortimer the King ended his dayes either by a naturall death or by the trecherie of Rowen his Stepmother He was a Prince of great courage adorned with many Morall vertues and as some writers have reported a favorer and professor of the Christian religion Then was Vortiger the King either vpon hope that adversitie had wrought in him a reformation of mind or else for feare lest any civill discord should arise by the election of any other revoked with common consent of the Britans and restored to his former estate During his Sonnes raigne as the Brittish Storie reporteth he lived a private life neere Radnor in Wales where he bestowed much cost in building a Castle for defence as himselfe vainly imagined against any suddaine assault In the meane time the strength of the Saxons encreased by new supplies which came dayly out of Germanie and the Britans now doubted their owne estates so much the more by reason that the Picts and Scottish-men their ancient enemies were dispersed in most parts of the I le the Saxons also for their owne aduantage entring oftentimes into secret confederacie and mutuall leagues with them But Hengist supposing that he could not with safetie enjoy the possession of that territorie which Vortiger had assigned vnto him so long as the chiefe and most valiant of the Brittish Nation remained alive devised by a cunning practise vnder pretence of hospitalitie and friendship to draw them togither into one place and on the suddaine to surprise them To this end he prepared a solemne Banquet at which the King with diverse Noble personages as bidden guests were present suspecting nothing lesse then what was intended against them For the Britans being warme with good cheere and wine whereof they had drunke immeasurably were scoffed at by the Saxons the one provoking the other so farre with reproachfull termes that in the end they fell from words to blowes in such furious maner as the Britans being about three hundred in number all vnarmed and surcharged with Wine were slaine in the place and Vortiger their King taken prisoner who soone after delivering for his ransome the whole Countrey of Kent with other Provinces thereto adjoyning into the Saxons hands fled to his Castle in Wales where supposing himselfe free from danger he continued his vitious and prophane maner of living till in the end both himselfe and his Castle as some Writers affirme was by lightning from heaven consumed to ashes Thus Vortiger the last King of the Brittish blood a Prince in manners dissolute and weake in actions was by Strangers dispossessed of his Kingdome living to see the ruine of his Countrey whereof himselfe was the principall cause and dying in the ende a strange and vnnaturall death which is commonly the issue of a disordered and infamous life The report goeth that this fatall meeting was held vpon Salisburie Plaines where not many yeares after Aurelianus Ambrosius caused that strange building of Stone now called Stone-henge to be erected as a perpetuall Monument of so many worthie Britans slaine and buried there concerning which sundrie conjectures have beene made as being either framed according to mens particular conceits or grounded vpon common reports received by tradition But by what meanes soever they came thither they are accounted at this day one of the miracles of England in regarde both of the Stones themselves which are of a huge bignesse and also of their composition and order whereby they seeme in a maner to be supported with their owne weight in hanging one by another considering withall that there are no Stones fit for building to be found with in many miles of that place CHAP. VI. The calamities of the Britans The Professors of Christian Religion in Britannie are persecuted by the Saxons whose Idolatrie and superstitious rites are described NOw were the Britans driven from place to place some flying to the Mountaines others hiding themselves in Caves vnder the ground where they either perished for want of foode or comming abroad to seeke reliefe were cruelly murdered their enemies in the meane time ranging vp and downe without resistance razing their houses polluting the Altars in their Temples with the blood of their Priests burning the Temples themselves and committing all maner of Sacrilege and outrage without regard of place or person For the Saxons as by little and little they planted themselves in the most wealthie fruitful parts of the I le so they endevored to supplant the truth of Christian religion whereof they professed themselves open enemies as men meerly addicted to heathenish superstition in worshipping divers gods and goddesses among whom the images of Thor Woden Frea and Eoster were placed in their Temples as their chiefe Patrons They painted Thor with a Scepter in his hand after the same manner that the Poets vsed to describe the image of Iupiter and him they reverenced as the commander and disposer of Thunder and Lightning with all those 〈◊〉 is that are ingendred in the middle Region of the ayre consecrating to him the fifth day of the weeke which was afterwards called Thoâ—sday The name of Woden they attributed to Mercury or as some write to Mars whom they reverenced as a protector in warre and a giver of strength and courage against their enemies To him they vsually sacrificed with mans blood and dedicated the fourth day of the weeke naming it Wodensday as yet retaining the first denomination with very little difference Vnder the name of Frea they sacrificed to Venus as the giver of peace and pleasure whom they adored sometimes vnder the figure of Priapus committing to her the patronage of the sixth day called Frea day Of these three Thor was placed vpon a three-footed stoole in the midst and Woden and Frea on each side To the goddesse
4. yeareâ— Â After whose death the Sea was voyd one yeare 628 Honorius 26. yeares  After whose death the Sea was voyd three yeares 655 Deus-dedit 10. yeares  After whose death the Sea was voyd three yeares 668 Theodorus 22. yeares 693 Bertualdus 38. yeares 731 Tatwinus 4. yeares 735 Nothelmus 5. yeares  After his death the Sea was voyd one yeare 740 Cuthbertus translated from the Sea of Hereford 18. yeares 759 Bregwinus 3. yeares 762 Lambrihtus who had formerly beene Abbot of St. Augustine 31. yeares 791 Aethelardus in the time of Egbert the West-Saxon Prince 13. yeares Anno Dom. Bishops of Rochester 604 Iustus ordained the first Bishoppe there by Augustine the Archbishop of Canterbury sate 20. yeares 624 Romanus 10 yeares 634 Paulinus translated from the Sea of Yorke 10. yeares 644 Ithamarus 12. yeares  After whose death the Sea was voyd foure yeares 656 Damianus 9. yeares 669 Putta 8. yeares 677 Quichelmus 4. yeares  After whose death the Sea was voyd three yeares 681 Gebmundus 9. yeares 693 Tobias 34. yeares 727 Aldwulfus 13. yeares 740 Dunnus 24. yeares 764 Eardulfus 11. yeares 775 Deora 15. yeares 790 Weremundus in the time of Egbert the West-Saxon Prince 12. yeares THE SECOND PART The second Booke HENGIST I PRINC SAX CHAP. I. The Principalitie of the Kentish-Saxons established by Hengist whom Vsk Otta and Ermeric succeede in the government Austen the Monke is sent from Rome by Gregorie the Great to preach the Christian faith to the Saxons and English He landeth in Kent where he is curteousâ— â—ertained by Ethelbert the Prince of that Countrie THE Territorie of the Kentish-Saxons did at the first include only that part which at this day is contained within the county of Kent being the very entrance key of the whole Iland The west south sides of it butte vpon the firme land on the East the Brittish Ocean beateth and vppon the North runneth the famous river Thames navigable for ships of very great burden and ebbing and flowing many miles within the land whereby commodities are brought in and carryed forth to the enriching of it selfe and the Countries round about This Principalitie enlarged by addition of such Provinces as Vortiger after the slaughter of the Brittish Nobilitie delivered to the Saxons for his ransome was established by Hengist eight yeares after his arrivall about the yeare of grace 456. Valentinian the third of that name then shoring vp the decayed Empire in the West Although by consent of divers Writers he ruled a long time yet little or nothing is left of record concerning any thing done by him after he was setled in the governement either for that perhaps no great occasion was ministred to shew himselfe in action the Britans being now seated in the remote parts of the I le and his owne countrymen making warre in other places of the same or else for that being wearied with the warre he gave himselfe to ease and quietnesse supposing hee had done enough alreadie in making the first attempt in an enterprize so difficult and in getting and leaving to his posteritie the possession of so faire and fruitfull Countries After his death there raigned eyther joyntly or successively Vsk Otta and Ermeric concerning whom I finde no other mention then of their names onely Ethelbert succeeding Ermeric his father was in the beginning of his raigne much encumbred with warres which he made with very ill successe against Ceaulin Prince of the West-Saxons but afterwards his knowledge in militare affaires increasing with his yeares hee fortunately repaired those losses extending his Dominion by reducing the South Provinces to his obedience even to the water of Humber And the better to strengthen his estate by forraigne aliance hee married Bertha the danghter of Châ—rebert then King of France a vertuous Lady and a professor of Christianitie wherein the King her husband was not as yet instructed howbeit hee permitted both her selfe and Luidhard a French Bishop that accompanied her into Britannie to vse the Rites and Ceremonies of their owne Countrie and religion eyther for observance of the contract which Ethelbert before the marriage had made with the King her Father to that end or else for the heartie and entire affection which hee bare vnto her as his wife whom God had ordained to bee the meanes of his conversion to the Christian faith For in the yeare of grace five hundred ninetie sixe and fourteenth of the raigne of Mauritius the Emperour Austen a Monke was sent by Gregory the first surnamed the Great then Bishop of Rome to preach the faith to the Saxons and English then inhabiting the I le of Britannie where landing in the I le of Tanet vpon the coast of Kent hee was entertained in curteous manner by Ethelbert the Prince whose heart being somewhat prepared by his wives perswasion and by the example of Luidhard the devout Bishop that lived with her was more apt in time to take impression of the Truth whereto though himselfe assented not at the first yet hee licensed it to be taught privately and assigned to Austen a convenient seate at Canterbury the cheefe Citie of that Province giving him an olde Church which in former times had beene erected by certaine Romans exercising there the Christian religion and consecrated to our Saviour Christ. This Church was then reedified and not many yeares after Austen without the Citie Eastward layd the foundation of a Monasterie for which Ethelbert erected a Church wherein both Austen himselfe with his successours and also the Christian Princes of Kent were for the most part interred after their death This Monasterie being finished long time after Austens decease was dedicated to him by the name of Saint Austen whose memoriall the ruines of that place retaine even to this day CHAP. II. Austen converteth divers of the Saxons and English from Paganisme to Christianitie The cause that first moved Gregorie the Great to intend their conversion Austen is consecrated chief Bishop of the English Nation by the Bishop of Arles in France He advertiseth the Bishop of Rome of the successe of his voyage into Britannie and requireth directions touching the Ecclesiasticall governement to be there established IN the meane time Austen beeing now received as the Apostle of the English Nation and such Priests as were with him exercised their Ecclesiasticall functions without empeachment and for that they were altogether ignorant of the Brittish language they vsed the helpe of such Interpreters as they had brought with them out of France in preaching and instructing the people with whom partly by their doctrine and partly by their example they prevailed so much as many of them beleeved and were baptized for their teachers began then to expresse in their lives the practise of the Apostles in the Primitive Church by continuall watching fasting and praying contemning the world and contenting themselves with things necessarie to sustaine Life and Nature so strongly were they possessed with the
sonnes of Sebert ruled ioyntly Serred Seward Sigbert 4 Sigebert surnamed the Little the sonne of Seward 5 Sigbert the sonne of Sigebald brother of Sebert 6 Sigher 7 Sebbi 8 Sigeherd the sonne of Sebbi 9 Seofride the brother of Sigeherd 10 Offa the sonne of Sigeherd 11 Celred 12 Suthred defeated by Egbert Prince of the West-Saxons ⧠The succession of the Bishops of London in the Province of the East-Saxons 604 Melitus the first Bishop sent from Rome sate thirteene yeares after whose translation the Sea was void about fortie yeares 658 Cedda eight yeares 666 Wina translated from the Sea of Winton 9. yeares 675 Erkenwaldus twenty two yeares 697 Waldherus eighteene yeares 715 Ingualdus thirtie one yeares 746 Egwulfus eight yeares 754 Wighedus seven yeares 761 Eadbrichtus eleven yeares 775 Deora nine yeares 784 Eadbaldus eleven yeares 795 Heathobertus in the time of Egbert the West-Saxon Prince eighteene yeares The first CHAPTER The principalitie of the East-Saxons erected by Erchenwin Sebert the first Christian Prince Miletus the first Bishop of the East-Saxons hath his Sea at London Saint Pauls church there founded by Ethelbert the first Christian Prince of the Kentish-Saxons The Church at Westminster founded by Sebert Cedda afterward called St. Chadde preacheth the Gospel to the East-Saxons Sigher and Sebbi ioyntly rule the Province ERchenwin was the first of all the Saxons that erected a Provinciall government among the East-Saxons who then inhabited those parts which now containe the Counties of Essex Middlesex and part of the Countie of Hartford all which both himself and his successors many yeares togither held by homage of the Kentish Princes as of their superiour Lords This Prince having reigned a long time with what successe I find no certaine report left the government to Sledda his sonne who to strengthen his estate by affinitie married Ricula the daughter of Ermerick the Prince of Kent by whom he had issue Sebert that succeeded him Sebert governed peaceably the Province of the East-Saxons which in his time was converted to Christianitie for in the yeare of Grace 604. Miletus was sent by Augustin the Archbish. to preach the faith of Christ to that people and had the Cittie of London assigned to him for his Episcopall Sea where Ethelbert the Kentish Prince erected a Church which he dedicated to Saint Paul endowing it with large possessions and Sebert following his example therein founded an other at the West end of the citie where afterwards a Monasterie was builded The place at that time being environed with water and overgrowen with thornes was called Thorney and afterwards by reason of the situation thereof the West-Minster It is reported that in more ancient times there had beene a Temple of Apollo which being overthrowen by an Earth-quake Lucius the first Christian Prince of the Britans reedified and converted to a Church for the exercise of the Christian Religion Sebert having spent the most part of his time after his conversion in deedes of Charitie and Devotion ended his life and was buried in that Church togither with his wife Ethelgoda Serred Seward and Sigbert his sonnes ruled ioyntly the province of the East-Saxons They were all men of disordered conversation and open despisers of religious rites for being not yet baptised they would have receyved the Sacrament of Christs bodie wherein for that Miletus the Bishop had opposed himself against them they expelled him from his Sea at London and themselves soone after were by Kinegles the West-Saxon Prince deprived both of government and life Sigebert surnamed the Little the sonne of Seward succeeded in the principalitie which in short time he left to Sigbert the nephew of Sebert the first Christian Prince of the East-Saxons Sigbert was by perswasion of Oswin chiefe governor of the Northumbers converted from Paganisme to Christianitie wherein he was confirmed by Cedda a devout learned man that then preached to the East-Saxons and recovered many of them which after the expulsion of Miletus had fallen from the faith He was afterwards by Finan the Bishop of Holy-Iland consecrated bishop of the East-Saxons amongst whom he preached the Gospell of Christ without interruption till such time as Sigbert the Prince procoring the dislike of his Subjects for that he shewed too much clemency to the Mercians his enemies was trecherously murdered by one of his owne kindred After his death Swidhelin the sonne of Sexbald obtained the regement and was baptised by Cedda the Bishop Then Sigher Sebbi ruled togither but not with absolute authoritie for at that time they acknowledged allegeance to Wulfere Prince of the Mercians In those dayes great plague and mortalitie fell vpon the Inhabitants of the Province and Sigher renouncing the faith fell to Idolatry which in a short time greatly encreased till Iarumanus the Bishop of Lichfield and certain priests being sent thither by VVulfere to that end laboured with all diligence to stop the course thereof and in the end suppressed it CHAP. II. The Devotion Chastitie and Chiritie of Sebbi the Prince The maner of his death Offa resigneth the government and goeth to Rome where he entreth into Religion Egbert the West-Saxon Prince obtaineth the principalitie of the East-Saxons IN the meane time Sebbi and the people vnder his obedience notwithstanding the relapse of their Country-men persisted constantly in the faith of Christ and Sebbi himselfe by praying fasting and Almes ceeds manifested his owne earnest desire to maintaine the same being so strongly possessed with the spirit of zeale and love of Chastitie as he perswaded his wife to a separation whereby they might serve God with more puritie of heart and his pietie and humilitie was had in such estimation even among the religious persons as they reputed him more meete to have beene a Priest then a Prince After he had with much difficultie obtained his wives consent for a separation he bestowed the greatest part of his worldly wealth vpon the poore reserving nothing for himselfe besides his necessarie maintenance but onely the expectation of a future recompence In his time lived Erkenwald a godly Priest who was afterward Bishop of London He founded two Monasteries the one for himselfe at Chartsey in Surrey and the other for Ethelburga his sister at Barking in Essex Sebbi having ruled about thirtie yeares fell sicke of a grieuous and verie painfull disease by reason whereof doubting lest â—hrough frailtie of the flesh he might burst out into any intemperate speeches or do any other thing vnseemely for his person profession he desired Waldher the successor of Erkenwald then Bishop of London by prayers and ghostly counsaile to assist him in his agonies and that no more then himselfe and two of his Chaplains onely might be present at the time of his departure so great a care had this religious Prince in well finishing that race which he had prosperously continued the most part of his life and in preventing all occasions of scandall to the faith which he professed His bodie
Paganisme to Christian religion Writers of the English Storie Venerable Bede his Historie of the Church of England William the Monke of Malmesburie his Bookes of the deedes of the English Kings and Bishops Master Camden his Booke Britannia Iohn Stow his Annals The above named Writer of the Booke entituled The three Conversions of England from Paganisme to Christian Religion Faults escaped in the Printing Page 9. line 5. recovered Caesars Tent where reade hee came to Casars presence of vvhom 11. 13 out of the Roman Camp out of the view of the Roman Camp 13. 4. charged with the Britans charged by the Britans 23. 3. Gassibelin Cassibelin 27. 10. clyffes of the I le possessed cliffes of the I le which were possessed 54. 22. at other times and more at other times to attempt and more 57. 7 sweat sweet 73. 25. to â—ortefie a worke to fortefie a worke 79. 12. armed at the Mount arrived at the Mount 97 figure 2â— Pessenius Niger Pescenius Niger 98. fig. 30. Vibius Pallus Vibius Gallus 99. fig. 47. Costantius Constantius 109. 17. assention ascension 113. 7. soldiers then ranging the Countries they wasted soldiers Then ranging the Countries they wasted 126. 24. Collianus Lollianus 142. 2. Imperiall decree immutable decree 150. 8. Bodatria Bodotria 162. 26. Roman Artaie Roman Army 163. 15. practiseth with an Armie practiseth with the Army 163. 21. Aurelianus Victorinus Aurelianus Victoriâ—us 165. 2. Amorica Armorica 181. 9. Chessonesus Chersonesus 184. 24. breath breach 188. 4. attain obtaine 192. 15. in actions in action 199. 25. nIto Into 200. 28. repayred empayred 215. 19. and the family and his family 223. 17. prefer preserve 223. 23. of Northumbers of the Northumbers 224. 4. direct divert 231. fig. 1. Simen Cimen 241. 12. either of them any of them 260. 27. Holoâ—ham Holâ—â—cham There be divers other errors which the vnderstanding Reader may easily reforme a The ancient inhabitants of the Counties of Guines and Bolonois in Picardie b The people of Artois * Callice * A warlike engin made of boords covered over with raw hides to serve for defence against fire or stones in scaling a wall a The ancient Inhabitants of Middlesex and Essex a Kent a The Countries between the rivers Garonne and Seine in France b The Biscayans c The ancient inhabitants betweene Gallicia and Portugall d Malden in Essex a Souldiers that were Citizens of Rome b Souldiers of forreigne nations in league with the Romans a The ancient inhabitants of the Counties of Glocester and Oxford b The ancient iuhabitants of the Counties of Buckingham Bedford and Hartford a The ancient Inhabitants of the counties of Somerset Wilton and South-hampton b The I le of Wight a Bolein in Picardie b Maldon in Essex a Nen the river on which Northampton is seated as it is coÌ„iectured b I he river of Severne c The ancient Inhabitants of Norffolke Suffoâ—k Cambridgeshire and Huntingtonshire d The Inhabitants of a part of Chesshâ—â—e as it is coniectured e The Inhabitants of Yorkeshire Lancashire Durham Westmerland and Cumberland a The ancient Inhabitants of South-wales a The ancient Inhabitants of North-wales a Anglesey a Receiver of the revenues of the province a An ancient Citie with whose ruines saint Albans was built a Bands of Hollanders a The river Tâ—eed a The Firth of Dunbretton in Scotland b Edenborough Firth a Grantz-baâ—e in Scotland a Companies of Hollanders b The antient inhabitants of the Territorie of Liege in the Low Countries a The antient inhabitants of Eskdale in Scotland as it is conjectured a The river Eden in Cumberland b The river Tyne in Northumberland a Lievtenant b The antient inhabitants of the Counties of Yorke Lancaster Durham Westmerland and Câ—mberland a Lyons in France a Yorke b The antient inhabitants of the hither part of Scotland a Yorke a That part of France which at this day conteineth the Provinces of Narbonne Provence and Dauphine a Bolein in Picardie a I le of Wight b Captaine of the Emperors gard c The ancient Inhabitants of Franconiae in Germanie that afterwards seated themselves in France a An ancient City somtime neere Saint Albans a Leycesteâ— a The ancient people of France inhabiting betwixt Belgia and the river Mosella b Lions in France a The Firth of Dunbretton in Scotland b Edenborough Firth a South-wales b North-wales c The antient inhabitants of Cornwall and Devonshire Kentish-Saxons South-Saxons a An ancient Citie seated in that place where Newenden in Kent now standeth The Mercians a Holy-Iland a Mentz The Mercians East-Saxons East-Saxons East-Angles East-Angles The Northumbers West-Saxons VVest-Saxons The Legionary forces Auxiliarie forces
short continuance of his government did not suffer him to enter into any great actions in places so remote for having held the Empire little above a yeare he left the same by death to Vlpius Traianus a Spaniard whom he had adopted for his valour and wisedome beginning even then the first president of electing strangers In his time some of the Britans desirous to free themselves from the Roman tyranny entred into rebellion but wanting meanes to effect what they had begun they soone gave over the enterprise Howbeit Aelius Adrianus who succeeded Traian in the Empire having intelligence that the Northern Britans made incursions into the Province sent over Iulius Severus to empeach their attempts but before he could make an end of the war he was revoked sent into Syria to suppresse the Iewish rebellion Adrian the Emperor himselfe came with an Army into Britannie where he encountred those Northern riders recovered such Forts as they had taken forced them to retire to the Mountaines and woods whither the Roman horsemen without danger could not pursue them And then fortifying the borders of the Province by raising a wall of Turves about eightie miles in length betweene the mouths of the rivers Ituna and Tina to defend the inhabitants thereof from the sodaine assaults of their ill neighbours he returned triumphantly to Rome This exploit wan much reputation to the Roman Army and no smal honor to the Emperor himselfe who was then called The Restorer of Britannie and had the same inscription figured in the stamp of his Coyne Now the Britans dwelling within the Province seemed for the most part patiently to beare the yoke which Custome had made lesse painefull and they obeyed the more willingly as standing in neede of the Romans helpe against their owne Country men whose crueltie was now as much feared as in former times the invasion of strangers Whereupon they conformed themselves to the Roman lawes both in martiall and civill affaires which were then principally directed by Licinius Priscus who had beene not long before employed by Adrian the Emperour in the expedition of Iurie and was at that time Propraetor of Britannie CHAP. II. Lollius Vrbicus is Lievtenant of Britannie vnder Antoninus Pius the successor of Adrian the Emperour He erecteth another wall of Turves for defence of the Province and appeaseth the Brigantes the ancient inhabitants of the Counties of Yorke Lancaster Durham Westmerland and Cumberland beginning to revolt Seius Saturninus Admirall of the Brittish Fleet gardeth the Sea coasts M Aurelius Antoninus surnamed Philosophus succeedeth Antoninus Pius in the Empire and Calphurnius Agricola Lollius Vrbicus Britannicus in the Province A Ntoninus Pius succeeded Adrianus the Emperour when Lollius Vrbicus being Lievtenant the Northern people made a road into the Province but were beaten backe by the Roman forces that lay vpon the borders and then was there another wal of Turves built by commandement of the Lievtenant to strengthen those parts with a double rampire In the meane time a new warre was kindled among the Brigantes that annoyed some of the Roman confederates but by the discretion of the Generall it was quenched before it came to a flame For Lollius Vrbicus vpon the first rumor of the revolt marched thither with part of the army leaving the rest behind to guard the borders and Seius Saturninus Admirall of the Brittish Fleet being well appointed by Sea lay vpon the North side of the I le to defend the Coasts and vpon occasions to further the land-service by this meanes the Brigantes were easily reduced to obedience even by the presence onely of the Lievtenant who for his good service done in Britannie during the short time of his imployment there obteined the surname of Britannicus Antoninus Pius being dead and Marcus Aurelius surnamed Philosophus possessed of the Empire Calphurnius Agricola was made Lievtenant of the Province who at his first entrance into office vnderstood of some new tumults raised during the vacation but partly by policie in preventing occasions and partly by shew of force his very name striking a terror in the inhabitants by reviving the memory of Iulius Agricola he in short time appeased them deserving thereby great commendation though the glory of such exploits was for the most part attributed to the Emperors themselves the labour and perill in attempting and commonly disgrace and envie after victory remaining onely as rewards to their ministers CHAP. III. Elutherius the Bishop of Rome sendeth Preachers into Britannie to instruct the inhabitants there in the Christian Faith Lucius the first Christian Prince in Britannie The planting and propagation of religion among the Britans NOw was the time come namely about one hundred and fourscore yeares after the birth of our Saviour when Christian religion which many yeares together had beene for the most part shadowed with the darke cloudes of heathenish superstition began to discover it selfe more openly in this Iland by the meanes of Lucius surnamed Lever-Maur who by permission of the Roman Lievtenant did governe as King a great part of the Province For it appeareth by the testimonie of some antient Writers that Britannie received the Christian faith even in the infancie of the Church immediately after the death of our Saviour Christ whose Apostles and Disciples according to his commandement published and dispersed the same in divers Regions partly by themselves in their owne persons and partly by their ministers among whom were sent into Britannie Simon Chananaeus that after his peregrination in Mauritania as it is reported was slaine and buried in the Iland Aristobolus a Roman of whom Saint Paul in his Epistles maketh mention and Ioseph of Arimathia a Nobleman of Iury specially remembred of posterity for his charitable act in burying the body of our Saviour This man was appointed by Philip the Apostle then preaching the Christian faith in Gallia to instruct the antient Britans among whom he began first as some write to institute an Eremiticall life in a place then called Avalonia and afterwards Glastenbury where himselfe and his companions imitating the austerity and zeale of solitude which they had observed in Mary Magdalen with whom they travelled out of Iury vnto Marsilia in France sequestred themselves from all worldly affaires that they might freely intend the exercise of pietie which they professed Yea some Writers of former ages have constantly affirmed that the Apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul in their owne persons at severall times came into Britannie and that afterwards one Sueton a Noblemans sonne of that Country being converted by such Christians as first planted the faith there and called after his baptisme Beatus was sent by them to Rome vnto Saint Peter to be better instructed and confirmed in Christianitie and that in his returne homewards thorough Switzerland he found in the inhabitants there such a desire and readinesse to receive the Christian faith as he resolved to continue in that place where he erected an
whom he had recommended and advanced to the government there desired leave of the Emperor to go into Britannie where giving it out that he fled thither for safegard of his life he was curteously entertained by the Governor whom he afterwards murdred privily in the night then speedily returned to Rome having by this devise appeased the tumults in the Province approved his fidelitie to the Emperor About this time as it is reported certaine Vandals and Burgundians which had invaded Gallia being vanquished by Probus were sent into Britannie where they seated themselves and did afterwards good service to the Romans in suppressing rebellious attempts there though the Emperour then sought to win the Britans favour rather by clemencie then rigor licencing them to plant Vines and make wine and to do other things as well for their pleasure as profit Then Carus succeeding Probus in the Empire assigned Britannie Gallia Spaine and Illyricum to Carinus one of his sonnes who possessed the same till Dioclesian was declared Emperor in whose time the Province was peaceably governed the borders being strongly garded with forts and bulwarks against forrein invasion but the sea coasts both of Gallia and Britannie were much annoyed with Pirats of lower Germanie against whom C. Carausius as Admiral of the British fleet was sent to sea CHAP. XI Carausius vsurpeth the Empire in Britannie in the ioynt raignes of Dioclesian and Maximianus who assume to them Maximinus and Constantius Chlorus for assistants by the name of Caesars Carausius is slaine by Alectus and Alectus by Asclepiodatus London taken and sacked by the Franks the ancestors of the French whom the Romans encountring deprived of their booties CArausius was a man by birth of low degree thogh otherwise worthie of the highest if his owne ambition the guiltines of his actions had not pricked him forward to seeke it by vnlawfull courses and to boulster out wrong by that authoritie which is the ordinarie meane appointed to punish it for in short time he grew verie rich by taking great store of shipping and treasure which he detained to his owne vse without restoring the same to the right owners or rendring account therof to the Emperors officers Wherupon Maximianus Herculeus whom Dioclesian had taken to be his Associate in the Empire being then making warre in Gallia surprised the principall men of Carausius his faction at Gessoriacum and gave commandement that Carausius himselfe should be made away But Carausius being privily advertised thereof and knowing that then there remained for him no meane fortune betwixt the life of a Prince and the death of a Traitor entred forthwith into actuall rebellion making his partie strong both by sea and land in drawing discontented persons into the action and alluring the Northern Britans to joyne with him vpon hope of spoiles to be gotten in the province which he then ruled with a kind of absolute authoritie and soone after vsurped there the Imperiall ornaments The Roman state being shaken in diverse places either by the negligent government or ambitious attempts of Captaines and Commanders of armies which gave occasion to whole Nations and Provinces to revolt The two Emperours declared Galerius Maximinus and Constantius Chlorus as their assistants by the name of Caesars Then was Maximinus sent into Persia and Constantius into Britannie against Carausius But before Constantius arrived there Carausius was slain by the practise of C. Alectus his familiar friend who then vsurped the Empire as Carausius had done before And vnderstanding that Constantius was comming over with a great power he resolved to meete him vpon the Sea and impeach his landing for which purpose he lay with his Navie vpon the Coast of the Ile Vectis but his hopes failing him by reason the Romans in a thicke mist did recover the land before he could discover them he prepared his forces to encounter them in a set battaile neere the shore Constantius having determined to trie the vtmost of his fortune to take away from his Souldiers all hope of returne did first set his ships on fire and afterwards gave the charge vpon Alectus whose Armie was for the most part composed of Mercenarie men consisting of Britans Franks Germans and diverse other Nations who fought not all with like courage for after the first encounter some of them turned their backes forsaking their Commander whoescaped the furie of the battaile by flight though he was shortly after taken and slayne by Asclepiodatus the Praefectus Praetoriâ— The Francs that served vnder Alectus fled to the Citie of London which being weakly garded they rifeled and sacked though they did not long time enjoy the spoile for part of the Roman Armie comming thither rather by errour in mistaking their way then of set purpose assayled them tooke away their booties and put the most part of them to the sword This victorie restored againe to the Roman Empire the Province of Britannie which had beene vsurped about seaven yeares by Carausius and three yeares by Alectus CHAP. XII The persecution of Christians in Britannie vnder Dioclesian the Emperour The death of Saint Alban the first British Martyr NOw began the storme of persecution for Christian Religion to arise vnder Dioclesian who commanded that throughout the Dominions of the Empire the people should offer sacrifice onely to the gods of the Emperours and that such as refused so to do should be punished with diverse kinds of cruell death Hereupon the Christians being then dispersed in diverse parts of the world not fearing any torments that tyrannie could devise made publike profession of their faith which they constantly mainteined and willingly sealed with their blood Amongst many others that died in Britannie for that cause Alban an Inhabitant of the famous free Cittie Verulamium is specially remembred as the first British Martyr who being yet but a Pagan received into his house a Christian one of the Clergie named Amphibalus that fled from his persecutors and observing his devotion in watching fasting and praying became in the end a follower of his faith and vertue And to the end that his guest might escape the hands of them that pursued him he put on his garments offering himselfe to the Souldiers that were sent to search his house and in that habite was presented to the Iudge before whom he made confession of his faith reprooving the prophane rites of heathenish superstition Whereupon he was committed to the Tormentors to be whipped and persisting in his constancie was afterwards beheaded on the top of an high hill neere the Citie It is reported that the Tormentor who was first appointed to behead him perceiving a miracle wrought by him as he went to the place of execution refused to do his office casting the sword out of his hand and prostrating himselfe at Saint Albans feete desired earnestly that he might either die for him or with him rather then live to be the minister of his death wherupon as a professor of that
faith whereof he had beene long time a persecutor he dranke of the same cup with Saint Alban and in steed of the sacramentall signe of Baptism was washed in the bath of his own blood It is also written of Saint Alban his executioner that his eyes fell out of his head at the verie instant that the Martyrs head being severed from the bodie fell to the ground But whether it were the pleasure of God in the first planting of his truth here to approve the same by miracles or whether the incredulitie of that Age might give Writers occasion to report more then the truth I will not take vpon me to censure There suffered also in Legecestria about the same time and for the same cause Aaron and Iulius and in sundrie other places of this I le many other as well women as men who gave testimonie of their patience in praying for their persecutors and also of their pietie by doing things miraculous which moved the Pagan Princes at the last to cease their tyrannie as being rather wearied with afflicting the Christians then the Christians themselves with enduring the affliction Such power hath man being assisted with divine grace to do and suffer even above and against Nature it selfe The maner of Saint Albans death being engraven vpon a Marble stone was set vp within the Citie for a terror to the Christians who afterwards erected a Temple in that place which was accounted venerable for many ages after the destruction of Verulamium out of whose ruines an other Towne was raised continuing the name and memorie of Saint Alban the Martyr even to this day Not many yeares after Amphibalus also who converted S. Alban being apprehended by the Roman Souldiers for preaching the Christian faith vnto the Britans was put to death neere the place where Saint Alban his disciple had suffered Martyrdome before him CHAP. XIII A briefe Relation of the state of the British Church from the raigne of Dioclesian vnto the comming of Austen the Monke who converted the Saxons and English to the christian Faith THe storm of persecution afterward ceasing when Dioclesian yeelded vp the government gave free passage to the profession of christian religion both in Britannie and other parts of the Western Empire till such time as Arrius a Priest of Alexandria whose heart inwardly boyling with discontentment for not obtaining the Bishopricke of that place which he ambitiously affected burst out at the last into open blasphemy and impietie against the divinitie and omnipotencie of the Sonne of God which heresie like a contagious disease infecting most parts of the world invaded also this our Iland the inhabitants whereof in those daies as men delighting in novelties were carried hither and thither with every blast of vaine doctrine retaining nothing in matters of religion for certaine but their owne vncertaine opinions But the Arrian heresie being afterwards condemned by the general Counsell of Nice in the raigne of Constantine the Great the number of the professors and favourers thereof as well in Britannie as other places daily diminished and the truth of Christianitie was generally imbraced by the Britans whose Bishops conformed themselves to the doctrine and ceremonies of the Church of Rome without difference in any thing specially remembred save onely in celebration of the feast of Easter after the antient manner of the Iews imitating therein the custome of the Greeke Churches in Asia who solemnized that feast vpon the fourteenth day of the Moone of March on what day of the weeke soever it fell whereas the West Churches did celebrate it vpon the first Sunday after the full Moone of the same moneth in regard that Sunday was properly accounted and called The Lords day as being dedicated in the Apostles time to the eternall memory of Christs resurrection And this custome of celebrating the feast of Easter after the manner of the Iewes and of the East Churches continued in vse among the Britans even till the comming of Austen the Monke albeit it had been condemned by divers publike Decrees and generall Counsells Neither is it to be forgotten that in this third Age after Christ there were among the Britans divers men of speciall note for pietie and learning as namely in the time of Constantine the Great and Pope Sylvester Restitutus a Bishop of London was present and subscribed to the Synod held at Arles in France about the yeare of our redemption 325. Likewise by the testimonie of Athanasius certain British Bishops appeared at the Counsell of Sardica which was summoned in the behalfe of that holy Father against the Arrian heretikes about the yeare 350. and also at the Counsell of Ariminum where Saint Hillarie greatly commendeth the Bishops of Britannie for their zeale and constancie in maintaining the truth against Arrianisme which was then dispersed in most parts of Christendome And it is not to be doubted but that there were many others also worthy of remembrance if Time had not worne out the knowledge of their names and doings But that which most disturbed the peace of the Church in Britannie was the heresie of Pelagius the British Monke who in the age next ensuing maintained the power and free will of man against the vertue of divine grace with other divelish positions which being plausible to flesh and blood were easily admitted but proved in the end verie pernicious These occurrents in the estate Ecclesiasticall howsoever severed by distance of time I have thought good to set downe together rather then to mix them with the relations of matters civill and yet not omitting as occasion shall require to touch them againe in their proper places CHAP. XIIII Constantius Chlorus stayeth the persecution in Britannie He dieth at Yorke Helena his wife the mother of Constantine the Great travaileth to Ierusalem to seeke out the Crosse whereon our Saviour suffered Her pietie and zeale towards the advancement of Christian Religion The vertues of Constantius Caesar her husband DIoclesian and Maximianus having resigned their authority Constantius Chlorus stayed the persecution in Britannie afterwards went thither himselfe renforcing the garrisons both within the Province and vpon the borders and establishing a generall peace throughout the Iland which done he repaired to Eboracum and there fell sicke of a languishing disease In the meane time Constantinus his sonne being left at Rome as his fathers pledge escaped from his keepers and houghing the post horses as he passed the Countries that he might not be overtaken by pursuit came at length into Britannie where he was received with great joy by Constantius his father who being then past hope of life signified in the presence of his Counsellers and Captaines That he willingly and gladly imbraced his death since he should leave a memorable monument of himselfe in the life of his sonne who he hoped should succeede him in the governement to protect the innocent from oppression and to wipe away the teares from the Christians eyes for therein above all other things he
and strength of all Britannie into Gallia made many dishonourable leagues to the prejudice of the Empire with the barbarous Nations that then invaded it and sent his sonne Constans whom of a Monke he had made a Caesar into Spaine where Constans having put to death some principall men whom hee suspected to favour Honorius committed the governement of the Country to Gerontius his chiefe Captaine by whom he was afterwards slaine at Vienna in Gallia and Constantine his father having run through many fortunes was in the end besieged at Arlâ—s where he was taken and slaine by the Souldiers of Honorius the Emperour who then recovered Britannie Chrysanthus the sonne of Martianus a Bishop a man of consular dignitie was then Deputy of Britannie where he wan so great reputation for his vertue and integritie in the governement both of the Church which was then tainted with the gracelesse heresie of Pelagius the Britan and also of the weale publike of the Province as he was afterwards thogh against his will preferred to the Bishopricke of Constantinople Now the Romans about foure hundred and seventie years after their first entrance into the I le waxed weary of the governement of Britannie and the Britans that had beene many times assailed by their vncivill neighbours consorted with strangers of divers Nations perceived themselves vnable to make resistance as in former times whereupon they sent Ambassadors to Rome requiring aid and promising fealtie if the Romans would reskew them from the oppression of their enemies Then was there a Legion sent over into the Iland to expulse the barbarous people out of the Province which being with good successe effected the Romans counselled the Britans for their better defence to make a stone wall betweene Glota and Bodatria the two Armes of the sea that ran into the Iland and so departed thence But this wall was afterwards made onely of Turves and not of Stone as they were directed the Britans having not then any skill in such kind of buildings by which meanes it served to little purpose For the Scottishmen and Picts vnderstanding that the Romans were gone passed over the water in boats at both ends of the wall invaded the borders of the Province and with maine force bare downe all before them Whereupon Ambassadors were sent againe out of Britannie to declare the miserable state of the Province which without speedy succour was likely to be lost CHAP. XIX A second supply of forces sent by the President of Gallia into Britannie The Romans erect a wall of stone for defence of the Province The Picts and Scottishmen breake it downe The Pelagian heresie is suppressed in Britannie by the meanes of Germanus and Lupus two French Bishops The Scottishmen are converted to the Christian faith by S. Palladius the Picts by S. Ninianus and the Irishmen by S. Patricius VPon the complaint and earnest solicitation of the Britans there was another Legion sent overby Aetius the President of Gallia vnder the conduct of Gallio of Ravenna to aide the distressed Britans and the Romans having reduced the Province into her former state did tell the Britans that it was not for their ease to take any more such long costly and painefull journeies considering that the Empire it selfe was assailed and in a manner over-run by strangers and therefore that from thence forth they should provide for their owne safetie that they should learne to vse armor and weapons and trust to their owne valor Howbeit the Romans in regard of the good service done by the British Nation in former times beganne to build a wall of stone from East to West in the selfe same place where Severus the Emperour had cast his Trench the labour and charges of the worke being borne partly by the Romans and partly by the Britans themselves This wall contained about eight foote in breadth and twelve in height some reliques thereof remaining to be seene at this day Vpon the sea coasts towards the South they raised Bulwarkes one somewhat distant from another to empeach the enemies landing in those parts and this done they took their last farewell transporting their Legions into Gallia as men resolved to returne hither no more Assoone as they were gone the barbarous people having intelligence thereof presumed confidently that without any great resistance they might now enter the Province And thereupon accounting as their owne whatsoever was without the wall they gave an assault to the wall it selfe and with grapples and such like engines pulled downe to the ground a great part thereof while the Britans inhabiting the borders being awaked with the suddainnesse of the enterprize gave warning to the rest of their countrymen within the land to arme themselves with speede and to make resistance About this time also which was the yeare of our redemption 430. the state of the Church in Britannie was much incumbred with the heresie of Pelagius who being by birth a Britan by profession a Monke and as some thinke trained vp in the Monastery of Bangor travailed first into Italy then into Sicilia Aegypt and other East parts of the world to learne and studie as he professed whereby he wownd himselfe into the good opinion of many men of great fame in those daies for learning and pietie as namely of Paulinus Bishop of Nola and by his meanes of Saint Augustine till the heretical assertions which himselfe and his disciple Celestius a Scottishman secretly taught being by Saint Hierom discovered were afterwards condemned by the Bishop of Rome Innocentius the first Whereupon they returned againe into Britannie being obstinately bent to maintaine their former heresie which Agricola the sonne of Severianus a Bishop of that sect had not long before brought thither whereby the same in short time was received and approoved among the Chistians in divers parts of the I le so that betwixt heresie among the Britans themselves and paganisme professed by their enemies the light of Christian religion seemed for a time to be eclipsed Howbeit some of the Britans disliking those hereticall opinions which as yet they were vnable by knowledge in the Scriptures to confute and perceiving withall what dangerous inconveniences to the State arose oft times by reason of their disagreement one from another in matters of religion earnestly required the Bishops of France to send over some godly wise learned men that might defend the truth of Christianitie which seemed to be borne downe by the subtill allegations of humane reason Heereupon the Bishoppes there called a Synod wherein Germanus the Bishop of Auxerre and Lupus Bishop of Troyes in Champaigne were appointed to goe into Britannie and to vndertake the cause which they afterwards prosecuted with so good successe as many heretickes among the Britans were openly convinced and Christians confirmed in the faith About the same time Ninianus Bernitius of the race of the British Princes was sent into Pict-land to convert the inhabitants there to Christianitie Palladius a Graetian was likewise appointed
He subdueth the I le of Wight The Expedition of Claudius the Emperor into Britannie He defeateth the Britans and planteth a Colonie of old souldiers at Maldon in Essex His sonne is surnamed Britannicus At his returne to Rome he is honoured with a Triumph The Christian faith first received in Britannie in the raigne of Claudius 32 Ostorius Scapula is sent by Claudius the Emperour to succeede Plautius in the office of Lievtenancie The Britans in divers parts of the I le take armes but are speedily suppressed The Roman Generall seeketh by lenitie to purchase the good opinion of the Britans 35 Ostorius the Roman Generall maketh warre vpon the Silures and Ordovices the antient inhabitants of South-wales and North-wales Caractacus their Captaine being overthrowne in battaile fleth for succour to Cartismandua the Princesse of the Brigantes who then inhabited that part of the Ile which now conteyneth the Counties of Yorke Lancaster Durham Westmerland and Cumberland He is betrayed and delivered to Ostorius 38 Caractacus the Brittish Prince is sent to Rome and presented there before Claudius the Emperor His habite speech and behaviour He is pardoned and dismissed 40 What opinion the Romans held of Caractacus Triumphall honours assigned to Ostorius for taking him The Britans assaile the Roman Campein the Countrie of the Silures The principalitie of South-wales The death of Ostorius the Generall 43 Aulus Didius is sent by Claudius the Emperor to take charge of the armie in Britannie Venutius the husband of Cartismandua Princesse of the Brigantes vpon private discontentment taketh armes against the Romans The death of Claudius the Emperour 44 The second Booke NEro succeedeth Claudius in the Empire The Province in Britannie is governed by Veranius after whose death the charge is committed to Suetonius Paulinus The I le of Anglesey is subdued The doctrine and manners of the religious Druydes 49 The Britans oppressed by the crueltie and covetousnesse of the Roman officers discover their greevances one to another Prodigious signes foregoing the subversion of the Roman Colonie The Britans take armes vnder the conduct of Voadica 52 The Britans take armes vnder the conduct of Voadica Her Oration to her Souldiers The Roman Colonie is surprized Cerealis comming to succour it hardly escapeth with life Catus the Procurator flieth into France 56 Suetonius returneth with his armie out of Anglesey The Cities of London and Verlam are taken and spoiled by the Britans The Romans and Britans make preparation for a set battaile 60 The Oration of Suetonius the Roman Generall vnto his souldiers The fight betweene the Romans and Britans The Britans are overthrowne Voadica poisoneth her selfe The death of Poenius Posthumus 62 Suetonius renforceth the Roman Garrisons Variance betweene him and Classicianus the Procurator Polycletus is sent by Nero the Emperour to examine their doings Suetonius is discharged of the armie which he delivereth vp to Turpilianus 64 Trebellius Maximus succeedeth Turpilianus in the governement of the Province Discord in the Armie between Trebellius and Celius The death of Nero the Emperour and succession of Galba Otho and Vitellius The valour and fortune of the Fourteenth Legion 66 Vectius Bolanus is sent by Vitellius the Emperour to take charge of the Armie in Britannie Vespasian succeedeth Vitellius in the Empire The governement of the Province assigned to Petilius Cerealis who soone after leaveth the same to Iulius Frontinus 68 Iulius Agricola assigned by Vespasian the Emperour to be Lievtenant of the Armie in Britannie subdueth the Ordovices the antient inhabitants of North-wales and maketh a full conquest of the I le of Anglesey The carriage of himselfe at his first entrance into governement 70 Agricola reformeth abuses in the Province His courage industrie and wisedome set forth as commendable qualities in a Generall The death of Vespasian the Emperour whom Titus his sonne succeedeth in the Empire 72 Agricolaes policie to plant civilitie among the Britans He leadeth his Armie without resistance vnto Edenbourgh Firth in Scotland 74 What opinion the Romans had of the conquest of Ireland Agricola setteth out a Navie to discover by Sea the vtmost limits of the Iland and marcheth himselfe by land into the Country of the Caledonians the antient inhabitants of the North part of Scotland The Roman Campe is assailed and delivered from danger by the comming in of Agricola 76 The Northern Britans with common consent arme themselves to repulse the Romans The Oration of Galgacus the cheefe of their Leaders 79 The Romans prepare themselves to fight The Oration of Agricola the Generall vnto his souldiers 83 Agricola marshalleth his forces The battaile betweene the Romans and the Northern Britans Part of the Brittish Armie is defeated 86 The other part of the Brittish Armie is overthrowne The Romans pursuing the Britans through the woods in danger to have beene intrapped The lamentable estate of the Britans 88 The Britans are dispersed and vnable to renew the war Agricola commandeth the Admirall of his Fleete to saile about Britannie He planteth Garrisons vpon the Northern borders betweene the two armes of the Sea Domitian the Emperour being advertised of his fortunate successe in the Brittish warre is tormented with envie and iealousie Agricola yeeldeth vp the Province to Salustius Lucullus 90 Agricola returneth to Rome and is admitted to the presence of Domitian the Emperour He betaketh himselfe to a retired life He is poisoned Salustius Lucullus his successour in the governement of the Province protecteth Arviragus the Brittish Prince Hee is put to death by the commandement of Domitian 93 The third Booke NErva Cocceius succeedeth Domitian in the Empire leaving the same soone after to Vlpius Trajanus Adrianus the successour of Trajan sendeth Iulius Severus into Britannie to defend the borders of the Province against the incursions of the Northern Britans The Emperour himselfe with an Armie entreth the Iland and buildeth there a wall of Turves for defence of the Province Licinius Priscus is Gevernor of Britannie 103 Lollius Vrbicus is Lievtenant of Britannie vnder Antoninus Pius the successour of Adrian the Emperour He erecteth another wall of Turves for defence of the Province and appeaseth the Brigantes the antient inhabitants of the Counties of Yorke Lancaster Durham Westmerland and Cumberland beginning to reuolt Seius Saturninus Admirall of the Brittish Fleet gardeth the Sea Coasts M Aurelius Antoninus surnamed Philosophus succeedeth Antoninus Pius in the Empire and Calphurnius Agricola Lollius Vrbicus Britannicus in the Province 106 Eâ—â—therius the Bishop of Rome sendeth Preachers into Britannie to instruct the inhabitants there in the Christian faith Lucius the first Christian Prince in Britannie The planting and propagation of religion among the Britans 107 Lucius sendâ—th to Rome for the Lawes of the Empire The counsell of Elutherius Bishop of Rome touching the same Idolatry suppressed in Lucius his dominions and Ecclesiasticall 〈◊〉 established there The first Archbishop of London 111 The Northern Britans breaking downe Adrians wall vpon the borders enter and annoy the Province Vlpius Marcellus being sent
by Commodus the Emperour to take charge of the Armie in Britannie beateth them backe The rare vertues of Vlpius Marcellus the Governour Hee is dismissed of his office 113 A Mutenie in the Roman Armie Perennius vndertaketh to appeaâ—e it He is accused and put to death Helvius Pertinax being sent by Commodus to pacifie the tumults in the Armie is in danger to be slaine He maketh sute to be discharged of the Lievtenancie 115 Clodius Albinus succeedeth Pertinax in the governement of the Province He is honoured with the title of Caesar. Being suspected of Commodus the Emperour he retireth himselfe from affaires Helvius Pertinax and Didius Iulianus are elected Emperours successively after the death of Commodus Severus succeedeth Iulianus in the Empire Heraclianus is Governour of the Province which hee afterwards resigneth to Virius Lupus Warre betweene Severus the Emperour and Clodius Albinus The death of Albinus 117 Severus the Emperour maketh preparation for a voyage into Britannie The civill governement of the Province committed to Geta his younger son whom Papinianus the famous Lawyer assisteth in the administration of Iustice there Severus with Bassianus his elder sonne marcheth towards Caledonia Mortalitie in the Roman Campe. The Caledonians obtaine peace vpon conditions Bassianus taketh the charge of the Arme and Severus his father returnes into the Province 119 The Caledonians invade the Roman Campe and carrying away the booties which they had taken are pursued and put to the sword by the Romans Severus the Emperour repaireth Adrians wall cutteth a Trench and carrieth it thwart the Iland from Sea to Sea He falleth sicke at Yorke His counsell to his sonnes His death 122 Bassianus practiseth with an Armie to make him sole Emperor by excluding Geta his younger brother The crueltie of Bassianus The Funeralls of Severus the Emperour The state of Britannie from Bassianus to Gallienus not mentioned in Histories Some of the Thirtie Tyrants vsurpe the governement in Britannie in the time of Gallienus Bonosus a Britan doth the like in the raigne of Aurelianus Victorinus a favorite of Probus the Emperour murdereth the Governour of the Province Vandals and Burgundians seate themselves in Britannie The Britans licensed to plant Vines Carus succeeding Probus in the Empire assigneth Britannie to Carinus one of his sonnes who possesseth it till Dioclesian is declared Emperour C. Carausius Admirall of the Brittish fleet is sent to sea to gard the coasts of Gallia and Britannie against the Pirates 125 Carausius vsurpeth the Empire in Britannie in the joynt raigns of Dioclesian and Maximianus who assume to them Maximinus and Constantius Chlorus for assistants by the name of Caesars Carausius is slaine by Alectus and Alectus by Asclepiodatus London taken and sacked by the Franks the ancestors of the French whom the Romans encountring deprived of their bâ—oties 128 The persecution of Christians in Britannie vnder Dioclesian the Emperour The death of Saint Alban the first Brittish Martyr 130 A briefe Relation of the state of the Brittish Church from the raigne of Dioclesian vnto the comming of Austen the Monk who converted the Saxons and English to the Christian faith 132 Constantius Chlorus staieth the persecution in Britannie He dieth at Yorke Helena his wife the mother of Constantine the Great travaileth to Ierusalem to seeke out the Crosse whereon our Saviour suffered Her pietie and zeale towards the advancement of Christian Religion The vertues of Constantius Caesar her husband 135 Constantine the Great is declared Emperour at Yorke Hee subdueth Maxentius and Licinius the one vsurping the West Empire and the other the East He establisheth a new forme of gouernment in Britannie appointing Pacatianus to rule the Province there as Deputie to the Praefectus Praetorio of Gallia He translateth the seate of the Empire from Rome to Bizantium His three sonnes Constantinus Constans and Constantius raigne successively after his death Gratianus Funarius hath the charge of the Armie in Britannie when Constans the Emperour is slaine by Magnentius Martinus Deputie in Britannie vnder Constantius Paulus Catena a Commissioner to enquire of Magnentius confederates 138 The governement of Gallia and Britannie is assigned to Iulianus Lupicinus and Alipius are at severall times sent into Britannie Iovinian succeedeth Iulianus in the Empire which Valentinian the first ioyntly with Valens his brother doth governe after the death of Iovinian The Picts and Scottishmen invade the Province The originall and manners of both Nations Mutinies in the Roman Armie appeased by Theodosius 141 Gratianus the successour of Valentinian the first electeth Valentinian the second and Theodosius the younger to be his associates in the Empire Clemens Maximus commanding the Armie in Britannie vsurpeth the soveraigntie Gratianus the Emperour murdered Saint Ambrose is sent from Valentinian to Maximus to treate of peace Theodosius the younger pursueth Maximus who is taken and put to death The Britans that follow Maximus seate themselves in Amorica in France which thereupon tooke the name of Britannie 146 Stilico is sent into Britannie by Honorius the successour of Theodosius his father in the Westerne Empire to defend the Province against the Picts and Scottishmen Emperours elected and deposed by the Armie in Britannie Chrysanthus the Deputie of the Province is made Bishop of Constantinople The Romans send over one Legion out of France into Britannie They grow wearie of the governement there The Britans implore their aide 148 A second supply of forces sent by the President of Gallia into Britannie The Romans erect a wall of stone for defence of the Province The Picts and Scottishmen breake it down The Pelagian heresie is suppressed in Britannie by the means of Germanus and Lupus two French Bishops The Scottishmen are converted to the Christian faith by S. Palladius the Picts by S. Ninianus and the Irishmen by S. Patricius 150 The distressed Britans flie into Wales Cornwall and Britannie in France The end of the Roman governement in the Iland 154 The Princes that ruled in Britannie after the Romans had given over the governement there vntill the Saxons and English obtained it Vortiger deposed Vortimer Vortiger restored Aurelianus Ambrosius Arthur the war-like Bishops and other persons of note for Learning and Pietie either among the Britans themselves or sent vnto them from forreine parts after the Romans had given over the protection of them vntill the comming in of Austen the Monke FAstidius Priscus a bishop in Britannie but of what particular place it is vncertaine a man of great knowledge in Divinitie and a diligent preacher He lived in the time of Honorius the Emperour about the yeare of our redemption 420. Ninianus Bernitius descended from the race of the British Princes who first converted the Picts to Christianitie Palladius a Graecian sent from Coelestine Bish. of Rome to preach the Christian faith to the Scottishmen and to suppresse the Pelagian heresie sprung vp among them Patricius surnamed Magonius borne in Britannie of the familie of a Senator whence he tooke the name Patricius was sent by
Eoster they alwaies offered sacrifice in the month of Aprill which thereupon was called Eoster-month In their consultations of any weightie matter they observed sooth-saying and casting of lots Their custome of casting of lots was first to cut a branch from a fruit bearing tree into many peeces which being distinguished with severall marks they did cast vpon a white garment at a venture then if the matter concerned the Common wealth in generall the Priest if a private person onely the maister of the house having prayed the gods and looking towards heaven did take vp every of the said peeces three times and interpreted the future successe according to the forme and similitude of the marks If the lots fell out contrary to their mindes they consulted no more that day if otherwise yet they would make further tryall by observing the flying and singing of birds They had another practise also 〈…〉 the event of great and weightie battailes with their enemies For they would get some one of that Nation with which the warre should be made and then take another choice man of their owne arming them both after their country guise and so make triall of their valour conjecturing by the successe of that fight on whose side the victory should afterwards fall But of all other presages the neying of horses was of greatest credit both with the Priests and people who fondly supposed that those beasts vnderstood and were privy to their secrets And heereupon as some imagine the Dukes of Saxonie in times past gave a horse for their ensigne The names also of Hengist and Horsâ— the first men of note of the Saxon Nation that arrived in Britannie doe signifie in their owne language a Horse which denominations whether they were given in respect of their strength and courage qualities by nature proper to that beast or whether they received them vpon any other occasion or accident I cannot certainely affirme CHAP. VII Germanus the Bishop conducteth the Armie of the Christian Britans against their enemies being Pagans who by his meanes are defeated He departeth out of Britannie IN the meane time the Britans comming together from the places of their retreate and combining their dispersed forces the better to defend themselves against the power of the enemie were freshly assailed by the Scoâ—tishmâ—n Pâ—cts a great number of the Saxons also being newly entred into association with them whereupon Germanus the Bishop who came over into Britannie a little before the Saxons arrivall had remained there with Lupus to the end they might instruct confirm the Britans in the true â—aith against the Pelâ—gian heresie confident in the goodnesse of the cause to give encouragement to his new converts offered himselfe to be the Leader of the Brittish Armie which consisted for the most part of such Christians as himselfe had lately baptised The place wherein he pitched was a faire valley enclosed on both sides with high mountaines over which their enemies were to march The Bishop himselfe and certaine Priests that attended him standing in the midst of the Armie exhorted the Britans to fight couragiously as the Souldiers of Christ vnder the banner of his Crosse which badge they had received in their baptisme and commanding them all vpon the enemies approach to answer him by crying alowd with one consent in such manner as himselfe began Heereupon the Saxons and Scottishmen ascending the further side of the hill supposed to have charged the Britans on the sodaine which when Germanus and the Priests that were about him perceived they cryed out three severall times Alleluia all the Britans seconding the crie and the Eccho rebounding from the hills doubling the sound by reason whereof the Pagans imagining the number of the Christians to be much greater then it was indeede cast away their weapons and fled the Britans killing many of them in pursuit such as escaped the sword being drowned in a river which empeached them in their flying After this memorable victory Germanus perswading the Britâ—ns to vnity and constancie in the profession of Christian religion as a meanes to make their attempts against their enemies prosperous departed out of Britannie whither as some Writers report he soone after returned and by the assistance of Severus the Bishop of Trevers suppressed the Pelagian heresie which after his departure sprung vp againe and encreased among the Britans In remembrance of whose zeale and travaile in that behalfe sustained the Christians of Britannie afterwards dedicated vnto him as a protecting Saint certaine Churches and houses of religion in divers parts of the land CHAP. VIII Aurelianus Ambrosius aydeth the Britans against the Saxons The valiant acts of Arthur the Warrelike THe Saxons perceiving now that the Britans were scattered in severall troopes dis-armed and vnfurnished of all things necessarie for support of the warre prepared themselves to follow them and to empeach them from joyning their forces together any more to which end they divided themselves into severall companies with a full resolution either vtterly to destroy or to expell them out of the I le which they had almost brought to passe when Aurelianus Ambrosius comming out of Britannie in France brought hither some of the Britans that had feated themselves there who pittying their distressed countrymen in the Iland determined either to relieve them or to perish in the enterprize This Ambrosius was a Roman by birth honourably descended and as hath beene conjectured of the race of that Constantine who for the hope of his name onely which was reputed ominous had beene elected Emperour by the Roman Armie in Britannie And being now the chiefe Leader of the Britans he oft times encountred the Saxons and by the assistance of Arthur a valiant Captaine gave them many overthrowes the circumstances and particularities whereof I find no where remembred nor of any thing else concerning him save onely that he vnfortunately ended his life before he could make an end of the warre Then Arthur the Warlike the Nephew of Ambrosius according to the opinion of some Writers vndertooke the prosecution of the warre both against the Scottishmen and Picts whom he chased into the remote parts of the North also against the Saxons whom in twelve severall battailes as our Brittish stories affirme he valiantly defeated The most memorable was thaâ— which he fought on Bathon-hill where he obtained a notable and if credit in that point may be given to antient reports an admirable victorie and surely had not the inevitable power of Fate otherwise determined doubtlesse the Britans should have needed no other helpe to support and repaire their declining and torne estate For besides his good inclination to protect the Christian faith he was adorned with many heroicall vertues but chiefly renowned for the love of Chivalrie The Brittish Story reporteth that he instituted an Order of Knights who as his companions did sit with him at a round Table whereupon they were called Knights of the Round Table that forme of a Table seeming
spirit of zeale in first planting the Christian religion among Idolatrous Saxons and English It is reported that Gregorie the Great when he was but Archdeacon of the Sea of Rome tooke notice first of the state of the I le of Britannie by seeing certaine yong men borne in a Province of the Northumbers presented in an open Market at Rome to be there sold For marking well their faire complexions and comlinesse of stature he enquired whence they were and vnderstanding that they were Angles of a Province called Deira and vnder the government of Alla but as yet heathen for so the Inhabitants of those parts then were he seemed much to lament that such excellent outward gifts of Nature should want the ornaments of inward grace and thereupon alluding to the name of their Prince and Country according to their significations in the Latin and Hebrew tongue he vttered these words as it were by way of Prophecie These men are worthily called Angles for they have the verie faces of Angels and they shall be one day fellow heires with Angels in Heaven For the people of Deira must be delivered De-ira Divina by their conversion to the Christian faith and Alla their King must be taught to sing Alleluia to the praise of the most high God which worke being now Bishop of Rome he was made the Instrument to effect by sending Austen at this time to preach the faith of Christ in Britannie where in a short space the Christian Religion encreased in such measure that vpon one day wherein the memoriall of the birth of our Saviour was celebrated there was above ten thousand men besides women and children baptized in a river the water thereof being hallowed by Austen the Monke who commanded the people by reason of the great multitude and the small number of Priests to go in by couples and one to baptise another In the name of the blessed Trinitie When these things were done Austen went into France where according to order given by the Sea of Rome before his departure thence he was by Etherius Bishop of Arles consecrated chiefe Bishop of the English Nation and at his returne into Britannie he sent Laurence a Priest and Peter a Monke to advertise the Bishop of Rome of the successe of his labors requiring also further instructions in some doubtfull points concerning the discipline of the Church and other matters of ceremonie and observance CHAP. III. Instructions sent to Austen from the bishop of Rome for the ordering and government of the new Church in Britannie The Primacie of the Sea of Canterburie The first English bishops of London and Yorke HEreupon the Bishop of Rome signified by his Letters to Austen and the rest of his Associates how acceptable a worke to God and his Church they had performed commending their great zeale and constant minds which neither the travaile of a long and laborious journey nor feare of danger by sea or land could dismay from persisting in their good intention giving thanks to God that had assisted them with his spirit and exhorting them to hold on the course into which they were alreadie entred Touching the Ecclesiasticall government if there were any thing either in the Church of Rome France or any other Church which Austen thought meete to be altered for the better service of God he willed him therein to vse his pastorall authoritie and to select out of everie one of them what himselfe thought most requisite for setling an vniformitie of government in the Church of Britannie affirming that divine worship was not to be esteemed in regard of the place but the place to be honoured in regard of the divine worship Further he put him in mind of the ancient custome of the Sea of Rome which had ordeined the profits and revenues of Bishoprikes to be divided into foure equall parts whereof the first was assigned to the Bishop him self and the family for the maintenance of hospitalitie the second for the benefite of the Clergie in generall the third for reliefe of the poore and the fourth for repairing of Churches Then he admonished him to deale gently with the new Converts and to tollerate some of their erronious Traditions for a time lest by restraining them at first to the precise observation of Christian discipline in everie point he might divert them from their good purpose and hinder the proceeding in the generall cause For he supposed it a matter of verie great difficultie to plucke vp at once those ranke weedes of Superstition which by long continuance of time had taken deepe â—oote in their affections considering well that he that desireth to attaine the highest place must ascend thither by steps and degrees and not by leapes as it were in an instant He answered likewise many other objections propounded by Austen concerning degrees of consanguinitie and aliance to be observed in cases of Marriage and also touching the admission of meete persons to be partakers of the Lords Supper Touching the punishment of Sacrilege he advised that offenders therein might first be charitably corrected admonished to the end that knowing the greatnesse of the crime they might by penance and restitution make amends and detest from thence-foorth to commit the like With the Bishops of France he willed him not to intermeddle otherwise then by counsaile and exhortatation lest by interposing himselfe in matters of Ecclesiasticall government there he should seeme to thrust his Sickle into an other mans Harvest but he appointed all the Bishops of Britannie to be vnder his jurisdiction giving him power to nominate and consecrate Bishops in severall places where he thought convenient Howbeit it was then decreed that the Bishop of London should ever after be consecrated by his owne Synod and receive his Pall from the Sea of Rome for he appointed the Citie of London to be the Metropolis and chiefe Sea though Austen contrarie to the Bishop of Romes direction in that behalfe transferred it afterwards to Canterburie as a place vnto which he was well affected for the good entertainment he had there first received and also for that it was more commodious for sending by Sea to Rome and more free from danger then the miner parts about London whose inhabitants were lesse civill and not so well in inclined to receive the doctrine of christianity as the 〈◊〉 were For Pope Gregorie ordained London and Yorke to be the Seas of two Archbishoprikes and that each of them should have vnder it twelve inferior Bishopriks but that neither of the Archbishops should be subject to other nor take place of precedence otherwise then according to prioritie of consecration save onely that for Austens honour he appointed all of them to remaine vnder his jurisdiction during his life CHAP. IIII. Austen receiveth the Pall from Rome Gregorie the Great sendeth gratulatorie Letters to Ethelbert who is converted to the faith being the first Christiâ—n Prince of the English nation The Church of Saint Paul in London is founded Melitus the
Crowland He is slaine in battaile EThelbald the successour of Celred was a professour of Christian religion though much addicted to wantonnesse and sensuall pleasures for which he was sharpely reprooved by Bonifacius an Englishman then Bishop of Vtricht in Holland and afterwards Arch-bishop of Mogunce in Germanie who wrote vnto him how fowle and dishonourable a thing it was that he which raigned over so many Nations should himselfe be the bondslave of fleshly lust signifying withall that those offences of impuritie which he committed were punished even among the heathen with death and cruell torments that by his ill example he corrupted his subjects that God himselfe for those vices had plagued many Princes both in their own persons and in their posteritie and finally that the pleasures of this life are but short and vaine and the paines ordained for sinne intolerable and eternall He likewise admonished Cuthbert Arch-bishop of Canterbury that hee should cause the light habites of Priests and Nunnes who fashioned themselves too much after the secular guise to be reformed But Ethelbald being stricken with compunction of heart for the lascivious follies of his youth sought by all good meanes to prevent those dangers into which through securitie and continuance in sinne he doubted that he might irrecoverably have fallen and first by the advise of his Clergie and temporall Nobilitie he ordained that all the Churches within his Dominions should be discharged of tribute and freed from all burthens and labours excepting onely such as were to be vndertaken for the necessary building of Towers Castles and Bridges for the defence and generall good of the Province in which case none were to be exempted and that persons professed in religion should enioy the profits of their lands entirely and not be constrained to make any other payments out of the same vnto the Prince About that time also Cuthbert Arch-bishop of Canterbury by the advice of Bonifacius the Arch-bishop of Mogunce made certaine constitutions for the governement of the Clergie vnder his jurisdiction by which amongst other things it was ordered that the holy Scriptures should be vsually read in Monasteries that Priests should be no buiers nor sellers of worldly commodities that they should receive no rewards for administring the Sacraments that there should be an vniformitie among them in the observation of Ecclesiasticall ceremonies that they should both learne themselves and teach others the Lords praier the articles of the Christian faith in the English tongue and that none should be admitted to holy Orders but such persons whose conversation and maner of living was first examined and approoved In the meane time Ethelbald the Prince partly of his owne religious inclination and being partly moved by the examples of his predecessors caused a great and goodly Monastery to be erected at Crowland in the Countie of Lincolne where for that the ground was fennie and vnable to support the weight of a stone building many huge piles of Oke were driven into the Marish and hard earth brought thither about nine miles by water was rammed in with the piles wherevpon the foundation of the Church was laid such was the zeale of Princes in those dayes as they could levell Mountaines convert fennie bogs into firme land and alter in a maner the verie course of nature no cost seeming too much no labour too great nor any thing impossible that they had a will to effect When he had reigned aboue fortie yeares Cuthred the West-Saxon Prince invaded the territorie of the Mercians during the continuance of which warres Ethelbald was slaine by Bartred a person notorions for his crueltie and was afterwards buried in the famous Monasterie of Rippon howbeit Bartred soone lost that which he had ill gotten for he was also slaine by Offa the Nephew of Ethelbald who succeeded him in the government CHAP. IIII. Offa ruleth the Mercians He foundeth the Monasterie of Saint Albans He maketh a ditch to divide the Territories of the English and Walshmen Kenelmus the Martyr The Catalogue of the Mercian Princes from Offa vntill the West-Saxons obtained their Principalitie OFfa was a warlike Prince and for the most part fortunate Kineulph the West-Saxon Prince he overthrew in a setbattaile and Ethelbert Prince of the East-Angles he surprized vnder colour of friendship and after his death vsurped that Province Howsoever ambition and desire of glorie transported him beyond the limits of his owne Principalitie yet was he a great benefactor to the Church for he erected a faire Monasterie in the honour of Saint Alban neere the Towne that now beareth the Martyrs name and richly endowed it by his Charter He founded also the Abbey of Bathe the Archi-Episcopall Sea he translated from Canterburie to Lichfield the chiefe seat of the Mercian government where it continued but a short time Betweene Wales and the borders of his Province he caused a ditch to be made for defence against the incursions of the Britans whom the Saxons then called Walsh which in their language signifieth stranger Elfrid his sonne succeeding him reigned but one yeare Then Kenulph descended from Penda the Tyrant obtained the regiment He assailed the territorie of the Kentish-Saxons and tooke prisoner Egbert their Prince whom afterwards he freely delivered vpon the selfe same day that he dedicated the Church at VVinchelcombe whereof he was the founder adding that speciall Act of clemencie to the other exercises of prayer and fasting then ordinarily vsed at such dedications In the Cittie of Hereford also he founded a Church which he consecrated to Saint Ethelbert Kenelm sonne of Ecfrid being about the age of seven yeares was slaine by Quinda his owne sister that aspired to the government and dying innocently was afterwards reputed a Martyr Then Ceolworth the brother of Kenulph having raigned but one yeare was expulsed the Principalitie by Bernulph and Bernulph himselfe after three yeares defeated by Egbert the VVest-Saxon Prince Then Lucan defending himselfe against the West-Saxons was assailed and overthrowne by the East-Angles VVithlasm for a time withstood the VVest-Saxons but in the end submitted himselfe to their subiection which he acknowledged by the payment of a yearely Tribute After his death Berthulf possessed the principalitie with like conditions till being assailed by the Pirates of Denmarke he was constrained for safegard of his life to abandon the Countrie Burdred succeeded Berthulf both in estate and fortunes for being chased out of Mercia by the Danes he fled to Rome where he died Then was some part of the principalitie assigned by the Danes to Ceolwolph who held it of them by homage till Alfred the nephew of Egbert the West-Saxon Prince entred the Province with an armie and expulsing both Ceolwolph and the Danes reduced it vnder the obedience of the VVest-Saxons ⧠The succession of the East-Saxon Princes 1 Erchenwin held the province of the East-Saxons as feodatarie to the Princes of Kent 2 Sledda the sonne of Erchenwin 3 Sebert the sonne of Sledda the first Christian Prince the
was buried in the church of Saint Paul in London and then Sigeherd and Seofrid his two sonnes successively ruled the Province of the East-Saxons After them it was governed by Offa the sonne of Sigeherd who married Geneswede the daughter of Penda Prince of the Mercians The possessions belonging to the Church of VVestminster he greatly augmented and resigning the governement to Celred went to Rome where he ended his life in a Religious house Celred succeeded Offa maintaining the state of the Province in peace till in the end he was slaine but in what maner or by whom I find no mention Then Suthred either by right of succession or by election obtained the governement which he enioyed but a short time for Egbert the VVest-Saxon Prince invaded at one time the Provinces both of the East and Kentish Saxons and in the end brought them vnder his subjection albeit the Citie of London remained vnder obedience of the Princes of Mercia so long as that principalitie continued The succession of the Princes of the East-Angles 1 Vffa 2 Titill 3 Redwald an Apostatae 4 Carpenwald the sonne of Redwald 5 Sebert the brother of Carpenwald 6 Egrick the kinsman of Sebert 7 Ana. 8 Athelhere the brother of Ana. 9 Adelwald the sonnes of Athelhere ruled ioyntly Aldulph Elohwold Hisberna 10 Ethelbert 1. 11 Ethelbert 2. 12 Offa. 13 S. Edmund ⧠The succession of Bishops in the Principalitie of the East-Angles 636 Faelix a Burgundian Bishop of Dunwich sate twelve yeares 648 Thomas his Deacon five yeares 653 Bonifacius alias Birtgilsus seventeene yeares 670 Bisi After Bisi the bishopricke was divided into two Seas ¶ Dunwich ¶ North-Elmeham 671 Aecca twentie three yeares Beadwinus 696 Aesculfus twentie foure yeares Northbertus 720 Eadberctus sixteene yeares Heatholacus 736 Cuthwinus eleven yeares Eahelfridus 747 Aldbertus foure yeares Lamfertus 771 Eglafus eight yeares Athelwulfus 779 Eadredus six yeares Hunfertus 785 Althunus three yeares Sibba 788 Titfridus twentie yeares Alherdus CHAP. I. The Principalitie of the East-Angles erected by Vffa Faelix a Burgundian preacheth the faith to the East-Angles His Episcopall sea at Dunwich in Suffolke Sebert the first Christian Prince resigneth his government to Egrick and entreth-into a Monasterie from whence he is drawne forth by his subiects when the Mercians invade his Province He is slaine in battaile with Egrick whom Ana succeedeth in the government THe Counties of Norfolke Suffolke and Cambridge with the I le of Ely were the ancient habitations of the East-Angles among whom Vffa about the yeare of Grace 492. established a principalitie which he left vnto Tiâ—il of whom little or nothing is recorded save onely the name and title Then Redwald succeeding him entred into league with Edwin advauncing him to the government of the Northumbers after the death of Edelfrid their Prince whom Redwald had slain in battaile He was afterwards by the exhortation of Edwin the Prince converted to Christianitie from which he was within a short time withdrawne by his wiâ—es perswasion though Dorwald one of his sonnes persevering therein was cruelly murdered by Rochbert a Pagan and Carpenwald his other sonne succeeding his father in the government participated with his brother in his fortune for he was slaine by the same man and in the same maner Then Sebert his brother obtained the government During the raigne of Carpenwald he lived as a banished man in France where he was first instructed in the Christian Religion In his time Foelix the Burgundian came into Britannie and made suite to Honorius the Archbishop of Canterburie that he might be licensed to preach the Gospel to the East-Angles whereto the Archbishop approving his zealous intention willingly assented and so the Christian faith within few yeares was dispersed throughout the Province by the diligence and labor of Foelix whom the inhabitants reverenced as a man that being himselfe happie both in name and condition had power also to make others happie He was made Bishop of Dunwich in Suffolke which being then but a small town became afterwards very rich and populous and was governed according to the maner of the ancient and best Cities Many religious houses the fruits of devotion in that age were at sundry times erected in the place There was also a Mint wherein a certaine coine with the inscription of the name of the Citie was stamped But time hath worne out in a maner the remembrance of these things at this day and the sea hath devoured the greatest part of the building It continued an entire Bishops Sea but a while for Bisi the fourth Bishop in succession from Foelix divided it into two Bishopricks the one of Dunwich the other of Holinham In the meane time Sebert imitating the example of the Kentish Saxons provided meanes that the children born within his Dominions might be trained vp in learning and religion erecting Schooles and allowing stipends for the maintenance of Teachers He was also a great benefactor to Hospitals and Religious houses and in the end resigning the government to Egrick his kinsman hee entred into a Monasterie whereof himselfe had beene the founder and there remained peaceably till by the treacherous practise of Athelhere one of his nobilitie Penda the Mercian Prince with an armie of Pagans invaded his Province for then was hee forcibly drawne thence by his owne subjects who finding themselves too weake to resist their enemies brought Sebert himselfe into the field supposing perhaps that his personall presence would encourage his people to fight with more resolution but in that battaile the East-Angles were overthrowne and both Sebert and Egrick his cosin slaine The like successe in the selfe same manner befell Ana who succeeded Egrick in the Principalitie CHAP. II. Athelhere the brother of Ana ruleth the East-Angles He is slaine by Oswin Prince of the Northumbers S. Ethelbert is murdered by Offa Prince of the Mercians Offa having made a voyage into the Holy-Iland dieth in his returne homewards Edmund succeedeth Offa in the governement The Martyrdome of S. Edmund by the Pagan Danes The Monastery of S. Edmunds bury in Suffolke erected The Principalitie of the East-Angles annexed to that of the West-Saxons THen Athelhere the brother to Ana assumed the governement but preventing his time in the getting of it he lost it againe ere he was fully sâ—led for as by combining with Penda the Pagan 〈◊〉 had beene a meanes to hasten the death of his 〈◊〉 hee and kinsman so his owne blood together with Pendaes was soone after shed by Oswin Prince of the Northumbers Adelwald his brother with little better fortune succeeded him leaving the Principalitie to Aldulf Elohwold Hisberna the sonnes of his brother Athelhere who by civill discention supplanting one another made way for Ethelbert to attaine the government Ethelbert by his wife Laonorine had a sonne of his owne name that succeeded him Ethelbert the second was a Prince much renowmed for learning and piety He governed the Province with great wisedome and prosperous
sister of Penda the Mercian Prince and afterwards put her away whereupon Penda to revenge the indignitie offered to his sister made warre vpon him and drave him out of the Province which he afterwards recovered by the assistance of Ana Prince of the East-Angles for Kennewalch during the troubles in his owne dominions had fled thither and was there baptised by Faelix the Bishop He founded the Cathedrall Church at Winchester to be the Bishops Sea for the Province of the West-Saxons and appointed Wiâ—a to be the first Bishop of that place Hee gave also to the Abbot Aldelmus the towne of Malâ—esbury where by the helpe of Elutherius that succeeded Wiâ—â— in the Bishopricke of the West-Saxons he erected a faire Monasterie of which William of Malmesbury who wrote in Latine part of the English History was sometimes a Monke After his death Sexburga his wife held the Principalitie but finding that by reason of the weakenesse of her sexe she was vnable to support so weightie a burthen she soone gave it over and went into a Nunnery in the I le of Shepey which her selfe had founded Then Eascwin the nephew of Kinegles succeeded He began a warre against Wolpher the Mercian Prince with whom he fought a set battaile What other things were done by him worthy remembrance I finde little reported Then Kenewin the youngest sonne of Kinegles ruled the West-Saxons He was oft times annoyed by the Britans whom in the end he chased into the vtmost parts of the Province Westward Ceadwall the nephew of Ceaulin possessing the government subdued the Province of the South-Saxons and wasted the Kentish Territories in the pursuit of which warre he gave vnto the Church even before he was baptised the tenths of all those spoiles which hee tooke Wherein howsoever his intention may be censured yet the example is no way justifiable considering it is written That hee which offereth vnto God the goods of the innocent doth as it were sacrifice the Son in the â—ight of the Father After hee had subdued the I le of Wight he sent thither Wilfrid the Bishop to instruct the inhabitants in the knowledge of Christian religion and being wearied with worldly affaires resigned the governement to Ina and went to Rome where he was baptised by the name of Peter and soone after ended his life His body was buried in the Church of Saint Peter and over the place where he was 〈◊〉 the inscription of his name and condition was engraven CHAP. II. Ina succeedeth Ceadwall in the governement of the West-Saxons Peter Pence first paied to Rome The Bishopricke of the West-Saxons divided into two Seas Lawes made by Ina the Prince The Church at Wells made a Bishops Sea The first arrivall of the Danes in Britannie in the time of Britric Egbert the West-Saxon Prince subdueth divers provinces which he annexeth to his 〈◊〉 Principalitie INa was lineally descended from the West-Saxon Princes He was a Prince of great courage and wisedome and for the most part fortunate in his attempts For 〈…〉 Prince he withstood by open forcâ— the Kentish-Saxons being weakned by many formeâ— assaults he constrained with great summes of money to purchase peace at his hands and the Province of the 〈…〉 after the death of Anthâ—â— their Prince 〈…〉 in battaile he reduced wholly vnder his obedience Then he manifested his good inclination to support and advance the state of the Church to which end he 〈…〉 at Wâ—llâ— that was afterwards 〈◊〉 to a Bishops Sea He builded also anew the Abbey of 〈◊〉 bestowing great cost vpon the Church there which he caused to be very â—ichly garnished with gold and 〈…〉 for the religious persons He instituted a certaine yeerely payment to the Sea of 〈◊〉 â—â—ipyning every 〈◊〉 of his Read me that 〈…〉 This payment was first called the Kings Almes and afterwards the Peter pence In his time the Bishopricke of the West-Saxons becomming voide was divided into two Seas whereof the one remained at Winchester and the other was established at Shirborn He made many good lawes both for the administration of justice in civill causes and also for the governement of the Church some of which even in these our daies are extant in the Saxon tongue After he had raigned a long time in great prosperity he was perswaded by Ethelburga his wife to resigne the Principalitie to Ethelard his kinsman and to goe to Rome where afterwards professing voluntary poverty he ended his latter daies in as lowly and meane estate 〈◊〉 he had formerly spent the greatest number of 〈…〉 pompe and glory Ethelard at his first entrance was much troubled with civill discention which Oswald one of the princely blood aspiring to the governement had raised 〈◊〉 the West-Saxons but that rebellion being appâ—â—â—ed he raigned the rest of his life in peace Then Cutâ—red the kinsman of Ethelard succeeded The borders of his Province bâ—ing strongly assailed by the 〈◊〉 he fortunately defended In his time there appeared two blazing Stars which were afterwards noted to be ominous predictions of those calamities which befell the Province vnder the tyranny of the Danes Then 〈◊〉 obtained the Principality of the West-Saxons He was a Prince much deâ—ained for 〈◊〉 and oppression of his subjects the antient lawes and customes of the Province 〈…〉 in such like outragious practises he was at the last by his owne people deprived of all authoritie and enforced for safeguard of his life to hide himselfe in woods and forrests where he lived in great misery secluded from the societie of men whereof by his inhumanitie he had made himselfe vnworthy till at the last he was slaine in Andreds-wald by a Swineheard whose Maister in former times Sigebert had injuriously put to death Kenulph descended from the line of Cerdic the first Prince of the West-Saxons was partly for the honour of his blood and partly for the generall opinion of his sufficiencie advanced to the government Such factions and popular tumults as had risen by the deposing of his predecessor hee pacified with great wisedome and moderation He was the first founder of the church at Wells where a Bishops Sea was afterwards placed Howbeit hee was much inclined to the wanton pleasures of the flesh which were the occasion of his destruction in the end for going in private manner to visite a strumpet whom he kept he was entrapped by one of Sigeberts kinsmen and murdered in the way Then Britric being also of the race of Cerdic governed the West-Saxons Hee was a Prince by nature more addicted to peace then warre He married Eadburga the daughter of Offa Prince of the Mercians by whose ayd hee expelled Egbert the West-Saxon that invaded his Province forcing him to flie into France where afterwards he lived like a banished man In his time about the yeare of grace 800. the Danes first attempted to land in Britannie whereat their arrivall they tooke the I le of Portland but Britric combining with some other of the Saxon Princes ioyntly assailed them and in
short time chased them out of the land and Britric himselfe having raigned about seventeene yeares was poisoned by Eadburga his wife who fled into France transporting thither great store of treasure But not finding that good entertainement which she expected at the French Kings hands she became a Nunne and afterwards Abbesse of a religious house from whence a◠the last shee was expulsed for committing adulterie with a lay person and ended her vitious and dishonourable life in extreame povertie After the death of Britric the West-Saxons were governed by Egbert who enlarged his dominions by many and great conquests for first he brought vnder obedience the Walshmen who had beene alwaies accustomed vpon advantage to make incursions into the Province then with like successe he assailed and subdued the Mercians the Northumbers the Kentish and the East-Saxons whose Provinces he annexed to the Principalitie of the West-Saxons as by relation of that which followeth more plainely shall appeare The end of the Second Booke of the Second Part of the Historie of Great Britannie ⧠The Table of the Contents of the Chapters in the Second Part of the Historie of Great Britannie The first Booke A Repetition of the Contents of the former part A briefe relation of the condition of the Britans vnder the Picts and Scottishmen from the Romans departure thence vntill the beginning of the raigne of Vortiger the last Brittish Prince page 173 The Britans elect Vortiger to be their King They send for the Saxons to aide them The originall and manners of the Saxons 177 The Saxons vanquish the Scottishmen and Picts Hengist deviseth how he may get possession of the East part of the Iland 182 Saxons Iutes and Angles arrive in Britannie Vortiger marrieth Hengists daughter He is deposed 186 Vortimer succeedeth his father in the government Vortiger is restored The most noble of the Britans are trecherously murdered by the Saxons vpon Salisburie Plaines 190 The calamities of the Britans The professors of Christian religion in Britannie are persecuted by the Saxons whose idolatry and superstitious rites are described 193 Germanus the Bishop conducteth the Armie of the Christian Britans against their enemies being Pagans who by his meanes are defeated He departeth out of Britannie 196 Aurelianus Ambrosius aydeth the Britans against the Saxons The valiant acts of Arthur the Warlike 198 The Britans flie into Wales and Cornewall where they seate themselves The Saxons and English possesse the greatest part of the I le which is afterwards divided into several Principalities 201 The second Booke THe Principality of the Kentish-Saxons established by Hengist whom Vsk Otta and Ermeric succeede in the governement Austen the Monke is sent from Rome by Gregorie the Great to preach the Christian faith to the Saxons and English He landeth in Kent where he is curteously entertained by Ethelbert the Prince of that Countrie 209 Austen converteth divers of the Saxon and English from Paganisme to Christianitie The cause that first moved Gregorie the Great to intend their conversion Austen is consecrated chiefe Bishop of the English Nation by the Bishop of Arles in France He advertiseth the Bishop of Rome of the successe of his voyage into Britannie and requireth directions touching the Ecclesiasticall government to be there established 212 Instructions sent to Austen from the Bishop of Rome for the ordering and governement of the new Church in Britannie The primacie of the Sea of Canterbury The first English Bishops of London and Yorke 214 Austen receiveth the Pall from Rome Gregorie the Great sendeth gratulatorie letters to Ethelbert who is converted to the faith being the first Christian Prince of the English Nation The Church of Saint Paul in London is founded Melitus the first Bishop there in the Saxons time Iustus the first Bishop of Rochester Contention betweene the English and Brittish Cleargy about the celebration of the feast of Easter 217 Austen calleth a Synod to reconcile the differences betweene the Brittish and English Cleargie The Brittish Bishops aske counsell of an Anchorite whether they should conforme themselves to such things as Austen the Monks should require of them They refuse to accept him for their Arch-bishop Austen appointeth Laurentius to succeede him in the Sea of Canterburie He dieth 220 Ethelbert the Prince provideth for the maintenance of religious persons Hee ordaineth lawes for civill government publishing the same in the English tongue Edbald his sonne succeedeth him in the Principalitie of the Kentish-Saxons His Apostacie Repentance Death 222 Ercombert succeedeth Edbald in the Principalitie The institution of Lent Honorius the Arch-bishop of Canterbury divideth his Province into Parishes Deus-Dedit succeedeth Honorius in the Sea of Canterbury Egbert ruleth the Kentish-Saxons after the death of Ercombert Theodorus the Arch-bishop of Canterbury expelleth Wilfrid out of the Sea of Yorke His learning in Divinitie and Philosophie His estimation in the Court of Rome 225 Lothar by intrusion succeedeth Egbert his brother in the government The West-Saxons invade the Province of Kent Cuthbert Arch-bishop of Canterbury calleth a Synod for reformation of abuses in the Clergy The succession of the Kentish Princes from Lothar to Alrich Kent is subdued and annexed to the Principalitie of the West-Saxons 227 ¶ The Principalitie of the South-Saxons established by Ella Cissa his youngest sonne succeedeth him therein Edilwalch the first Christian Prince of the South-Saxons 233 Variance between the Arch-bishops of Canterbury and Yorke Wilfrid chiefe Bishop of the Northumbers expulsed from his owne Sea at Yorke flieth into Sussex where he converteth the inhabitants to the Christian faith Hee is curteously entertained by Edelwalch the Prince who assigneth to him the I le of Selesey for an Episcopall Sea The South-Saxons are brought vnder the obedience of the West-Saxon Princes 235 ¶ The Principalitie of the Mercians erected by Creda the Saxon Penda persecuteth the Christians in his Province Peda succeedeth Penda his father in the governement He marrieth the daughter of Oswin Prince of the Northumbers and receiveth the Christian faith 241 Oswin Prince of the Northumbers ruleth the Mercians after the death of Peda till he is deposed by Wulfere the brother of Peda. Lichfield is made a Bishops Sea for the Province of the Mercians Chadde is Bishop of that place Wulfere is christned Ethelred his brother succeedeth him in the Principalitie He foundeth a Bishops Sea at Worcester He resigneth his governement and goeth to Rome where both himselfe and Kinred his nephew take vpon them the habit of religion Celred his sonne succeedeth him 243 Ethelbald succeedeth Celred in the governement He is reproved by Bonifacius an Englishman Bishop of Vtricht in Holland for his lascivious life His repentance He erecteth the Monasterie of Crowland He is slaine in battaile 245 Offa ruleth the Mercians Hee foundeth the Monastery of Saint Albans He maketh a ditch to divide the Territories of the English and Walshmen Kenelmus the Martyr The Catalogue of the Mercian Princes from Offa vntill the West-Saxons obtained their Principality 248