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
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
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
first Bishop there in the Saxons time Iustus the first Bishop of Rochester Câ—ntention betweene the English and Brittish Cleargie about celebration of the feast of Easter WIth these and other such like instructions the Messengers were dispatched into Britannie where at their returne they presented to Austen the Pall the ornament of a Bishop which the Bishop of Rome had sent vnto him as a 〈◊〉 and confirmation of his Ecclesiastical dignitie and authority and also certaine Vessels and Vestments which were thought meete to be vsed for 〈◊〉 in the English Churches 〈…〉 with divers other godly leaâ—ned men were appoynted to accompanie the Messengers into the Iland to the end they might assist Austen and the Priests there in preaching the Gospel At that time the Bishop of Rome sent also certaine gifts of great value to Ethelbert the Prince and by speciall Letters commended his favourable vsage and princely bountie shewed in receyving and mainteining such persons as came into his Countrey to instruct himselfe and his Subiects in the knowledge of true Religion the greatest blessing that ever any Nation could enjoy signifying withall that by his conformitie to those things which they taught a happie entrance was alreadie made for reducing the whole Iland to Christianitie and that if he persevered as he had begun he might vndoubtedly expect an eternall reward in heaven For albeit Ethelbert at the first was not verie readily induced to abandon the ancient superstitious customes of his owne Nation partly for that he had beene trained vp therein from his tender yeares and partly for that he was secretly informed that some of the Priests which then preached the faith of Christ were seditious persons exercising witchcraft and seducing the people vnder pretence of simplicitie yet after his conversion he became a zealous professor and practiseâ— of pietie erecting faire Temples for divine Service endowing them with large possessions and earnestly exhorting other Princes within the I le to do the like He founded a Church in the Citie of London which the Kentish Saxons in right of superioritie over the East-Saxons at that time possessed and dedicated it to the Apostle Saint Paul In more ancient times as some conjecture by the bones of such beasts as were vsually sacrificed by the Gentiles and found in that place there had beene a Temple dedicated to Diana of that Church Melitus being sent by Austen to preach the Christian faith to the East-Saxons was afterwards elected the first Bishop The Cittie of Rochester also he assigned to Iustus who was consecrated the first Bishop of that Sea But while these things were a doing there arose some controversie betweene the English Roman Cleargie and certaine British Bishops concerning the celebration of the feast of Easter and other Rites and Ceremonies wherein the Brittish Church dissented from the Church of Rome for the Britans then dwelling in Wales and the West parts of the Ile continued there the exercise of the Christian faith which had beene preserved among them ever since it was first planted in the Iland though now and then the cleere course thereof was either by contagious Heresies or by prophane and irreligious Princes interrupted for a time howbeit when they perceived the Saxons themselves in some measure to approove it they beganne with boldnesse to make open profession of it as seeming therein to agree even with their enemies howsoever otherwise in respect of language situation or the law of Nations they were divided CHAP. V. Austen calleth a Synode to reconcile the differences between the Brittish and English Cleargie The Brittish Bishops aske counsaile of an Anchorite whether they should conforme themselves to such things as Austen the Monke should require of them They refuse to accept him for their Archbishop Austen appointeth Laurentius to succeed him in the Sea of Canterburie He dieth AVsten perceiving that this disagreement was likely to prove prejudiciall to the state of the new Church thought it the best and safest way to prevent the inconvenience in the verie beginning and to that end he summoned a Synod which by the meanes of Ethelbert the Prince he procured to be held vpon the borders of the West Saxons Country At that Synod seven Brittish Bishops certain Monks of Bangor the greatest Monasterie in the I le whereof Dinothus was then Abbot and diverse others well reputed for their learning and knowledge in divinitie were present It is reported that the Brittish Bishops before their comming thither asked counsaile of an Anchorite a wise and holie man living there about what he thought meetest for them to do in that great businesse which they had then in hand and whether they should follow the advice and directions of Austen or retaine still their ancient Traditious whereto it is said that the Anchorite made this answer If he be of God follow him and that shall you best discerne by his humilitie For Christ sayeth Take vpon you my yoke and learne of me for I am milde and humble of heart If therefore you perceive by his behaviour that hee is prowd and high minded then be ye well assured that he is not of God Heereupon when they came to the place where the Synod was to be kept and saw Austen sitting in a chaire but not saluting them at their first entrance nor seeming by his outward gesture to respect them they supposed the Anchorists speech to have beene in part then verified and with much impatiency heard the Arch-bishops oration wherein they were specially required to preserve the vnitie of the Christian faith and though they did many things contrarie to the vsage of the Roman Church yet to conforme themselves thereto in three points namely in celebrating the feast of Easter in due-time in exercising the ministery of Baptisme according to the manner of the Church of Rome and in joyning with him and the rest of the English Bishops in preaching the Gospel of Christ to the heathen of that Nation which if they would faithfully performe he promised for avoyding contention a matter very dangerous considering the present condition of the time to tolerate the continuance of any other old rites and traditions wherein they should dissent from the Church of Rome But the Britans imagining that he who at his first comming vsed them in that disdainefull manner would afterwards being setled in a superintendency over them vtterly despise them discovered plainely their discontentment by their countenances and made a short answer that they would neither observe those things which he required at their hands nor acknowledge him for their Bishop Whereto Austen with bitter words replyed that sith they would not receive peace when it was offered they should ere long feele the heavy hand of war and vengeance vpon themselves and their posteritie and so the assembly was dissolved Not long after Austen the Arch-bishop wearied with care and travaile of minde fell sicke of a languishing disease and doubting lest the state of the Church being as yet greene and
further at that time but fortifying onely such townes as he had alreadie taken advertised Claudius of the doubtfull state of his affaires CHAP. XII The valor and fortune of Vespasian in the British warre He subdueth the I le of Wight The Expedition of Claudius the Emperour 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 reigne of Claudius IN the meane time Vespasian was imploied in other places of the I le where fortune seemed to lay the foundation of that greatnesse vnto which he afterwards attained For in a short space he fought thirtie times with the Britans overcomming two warlike nations and taming the fierce Belgae whose ancestors comming hither at the first out of Gallia Belgica either to take booties or to make war gave the name of their owne Countrey to such places as they had subdued a custom commonly vsed among the Gauls when they seated themselves in any part of this Iland With like fortunate successe Vespasian proceeded in attempting and conquering the Ile Vectis that lieth on the South side of Britannie when Claudius the Emperor being now furnished of all things necessarie for the British expedition set forward with a mightie armie consisting of horsemen footmen and Elephants He marched first to Ostia from thence to Massilia the rest of the voyage he made by land to Gessoriacum in Gallia where he embarqued His forces being safely transported into the I le were led towards the river Thamisis where Plautius and Vespasian with their power attended his comming so the two armies being ioyn'd togither crossed the river againe The Britans that were assembled to encounter them began the fight which was sharply maintained on both sides till in the end a great number of the Ilanders being slaine the rest fled into the woods through which the Romans pursued them even to the towne of Camalodunum which had bin the royall seate of Cunobelm and was then one of the most defensible places in the dominions of the Trinobantes This towne they surprised and afterwards fortified planting therin a Colonie of old souldiers to strengthen those parts and to keepe the inhabitants there in obedience Then were the Britans disarmed howbeit Claudius remitted the confiscation of their goods for which favour the barbarous people erected a Temple and an Altar vnto him honouring him as a god Now the States of the countrey round about being so weakned by the losse of their neighbours and their owne civill dissentions as they were vnable to resist the Roman power any longer began to offer their submission promising to obey and live peaceably vnder the Roman government and so by little and little the hither part of the I le was reduced into the forme of a Province In honour of this victorie Claudius was divers times saluted by the name of Imperator contrarie to the Roman custome which permitted it but once for one Expedition The Senate of Rome also vpon advertisement of his successe decreed that he should be called Britannicus and that his sonne should have the same title as a surname proper and hereditarie to the Claudian familie Mâ—ssalma his wife the monster of her sex for impudencie and lascivious life had the first place in counsell assigned her as Livia the wife of Augustus sometimes had was also licenced to ride in a Chariot At his returne to Rome which was the sixt month after his departure thence having continued but sixteene dayes only in the I le he entred the citie in a Triumph performed with more then vsuall ceremonies of state wherat certaine Presidents of Provinces and banished men were permitted to be present On the top of his pallace was placed a Crowne set with stems and foreparts of ships which the Romans called Corona navalis as a signe of the conquest of the Ocean Diverse Captaines that had served vnder him in Britannie were honoured with Triumphal ornaments Yearly playes were appointed for him and two Arches of Triumph adorned with Trophies were erected the one at Rome the other at Gessoriaoum where he embarqued for Britannie to remaine to succeeding ages as perpetuall records of his victorie So great a matter was it then accounted and a worke of such merit to have subdued so small a part of the Iland About this time as it may be probably conjectured Christian Religion being yet greene and of small growth began to cast forth some small sparkles of her brightnesse in the I le of Britannie whither Christians of Rome and other Countries then flying persecution resorted for safetie and quietnesse as to a place remote and by reason of the warres and troubles there not much subiect to Inquisition whenas also diverse Britans remaining at Rome where Christianitie then increased either for hostages or detained as prisoners or happly for some private respects of profite and pleasure had oportunitie and libertie to converse with the Roman Christians and to be by them instructed and confirmed in the faith of Christ. CHAP. XIII Ostorius Scapula is sent by Claudius the Emperour to succeed Plautius in the office of Lievtenancie The Britans in diverse 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 IN these termes stood the state of Britannie when Plautius the Lievtenant was revoked and the prosecution of the warre committed to P. Ostorius Scapula who at his landing found all in an vprore the Britans that were yet vnconquered raunging the Confederates country and vsing the greater violence for that they supposed the new Captaine as vnacquainted with his armie the winter also being then begun would not come forth to encounter them but he knowing well that in such cases the first successe breedeth either feare or confidence drew together with speed his readiest Cohorts and made towards them slaying such as resisted and pursuing the residue whom he found stragled abroad lest they should make head againe And that a faithlesse and cloaked peace might not give either the Captaine or souldier any time of idle repose he disarmed all those whom he suspected and hemmed them in with Garisons betweene Antona and Sabrina The first that began to stirre were the Icenians a strong people and vnshaken with warres as having of their owne accord in former times sought the Romans alliance and amitie The Countries also adioyning neer vnto them following their example prepared themselves to fight choosing a place that was compassed about with a rude trench which had a narrow entrance to empeach the comming in of horsemen That fence the Roman Captaine although he wanted the strength of the Legions went about to force with the ayd of the Confederates alone and having placed his Cohorts in rankes he set his Troopes of horsemen also in like
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
accounted himselfe most happy Thus died Constantius Caesar a wise and vertuous Prince as being not subject to those vices which commonly accompany the highest fortunes He was first called from the degree of a Senator to be a Caesar not affecting the title for ambition nor refusing it in respect of the danger Helena his wife the mother of Constantine the Great was as some have written the daughter of Coil a British King though by others it be otherwise reported But of what Country or kindred soever she was it appeareth by consent of all Writers that she was a wise and vertuous Lady worthy to be the Wife of such a Husband and the Mother of such a Sonne She was an earnest professor of Christianitie and vpon religious zeale travailed to Ierusalem where she found out the Manger wherein Christ was laid at the time of his birth and the Crosse whereon he was nailed when he suffered By this Crosse many diseases were cured and strange miracles wrought if credit may be given to such as have written thereof Her constant desire to advance the Christian faith first moved Constantius her husband to favour the Christians who having in times of danger hidden themselves for the most part in desarts and dennes did then come abroad againe into the view of the world reedified their old Churches founded new instituted holy daies to be celebrated in honour of their Martyrs and exercised religion freely and peaceably as being licensed so to doe by publike Edicts In all vertues beseeming a Prince there were few of his degree either before his time or since that might worthily be compared with Constantius who in the administration of Iustice in civill causes carryed so even a hand as he never vsed to make difference of persons or to be mis-led by affection He was no wastefull spender of his subjects treasure no greedie horder vp of his owne for he esteemed money onely as a thing to be vsed not kept and hee would oft times say That it was more behoovefull for the Common-weale that the wealth of the land should be dispearsed in subjects hands then barred vp in Princes coffers For glorious apparrell and other outward ornaments wherewith Princes vse to dazell the eyes of the common people he was more meanly furnished then beseemed the greatnesse of his estate His diet was neither curious nor costly and when he feasted his friends he borrowed his silver vessell supposing it a thing vnnecessarie to have any of his owne and considering perhaps that the mettall whereof they were made might be converted to a better vse In times of war he was diligent and industrious yet not vsing force where pollicie might prevaile for he so much esteemed the life of a man as he would never hazard it in desperate attempts for his owne glory which wan him great reputation among his Souldiers who for the love they bare him did presently after his death elect Constantine his sonne to succeede him other Nations supposing this our Iland most happie in first seeing him saluted Emperor CHAP. XV. Constantine the Great is declared Emperour at Yorke He subdueth Maxentius and Licinius the one vsurping the West Empire and the other the East He establisheth a new forme of governement 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 Emperor is staine by Magnentius Martinus Deputie in Britannie vnder Constantius Paulus Catena a Commissioner to enquire of Magnentius confederates THen Constantine residing at Yorke although he seemed at the first vnwilling to accept the Imperiall Title and protested openly against it yet when the Senate had confirmed the election he tooke vpon him the government of those Provinces which his father had held in the West parts and with an Armie of Britans and other Nations he first setled France and Germany being then in Armes against him and afterwards subdued Maxentius Maximians sonne that vsurped the Empire in Italy Then with like successe he made war vpon Licinius his Associate who persecuted the professors of Christianitie in the East parts of the world By which meanes Constantine alone enjoyed the Empire and for his many and glorious conquests was worthily surnamed the Great In his time the forme of government in Britannie both for Civill and Martiall causes was altered and new lawes established The civill governement of the Province there he committed to Pacatianus who ordered the same as Deputy to the Praefectus Praetorio of Gallia an Officer instituted by him with a limitation of place and restriction of that power which the antient Praefectus Praetorio had vnder the first Emperors Then Constantine intending to make war in Persia either to defend or enlarge the limits of the East Empire removed the Imperiall seate from Rome to the Citie Bizantium which he reedified and caused the same to be called of his owne name Constantinopolis drawing thither the Legions in Germany that garded the frontires of the Westerne Empire which was thereby laid open to the incursions of those barbarous people that afterwards assailed it and in the end possessed the greatest part thereof The borders also of the Province in Britannie were weakened by removing the Garrisons there into other Cities and Townes which being pestered with Souldiers for the most part vnruly guests were abandoned by the antient inhabitants After the death of Constantine the Great Constantinus his eldest sonne enjoyed Britannie as a portion of his dominion till making some attempts vpon his brother Constans for the enlarging of it he was by him slaine Then was the Empire divided betweene Constans and Constantius the two younger brethren Constans seised vpon the Provinces which Constantinus his brother had held and made a voyage into Britannie where Gratianus an Hungarian by birth had then charge of the Armie This Gratianus was surnamed Funarius for that being a young man he was able as it is written of him to holde a rope in his hand against the force of five Souldiers assaying to pull it from him But Constans afterwads following ill counsell the ready way to Princes ruines and giving himselfe over to all kinds of vice was slaine by Magnentius Taporus the sonne of a Britan who then invaded the Empire vsurping the governement of Gallia and Britannie till after three years warre with Constantius the successour of Constans his brother finding himselfe vnable any longer to vphold his greatnesse he murdered himselfe Then was Martinus an aged man made Deputy of Britannie when Paulus a Spaniard surnamed Catêna a name well sorting with nature was sent thither as a commissioner to inquire of such as had conspired with Magnentius But vnder colour of his authoritie he called in question such as were not faulty either vpon false information or
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
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
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
vpon Edelfrid Prince of the Mercians with whom he was afterwards reconciled by mediation of Theodorus the Archbishop and then he converted his forces against the Irish and Scottish-men inhabiting the Northern Iles of whom he made a great slaughter and the yeare following making warre vpon the Picts contrarie to the advice of Cuthbert the Bishop he was slaine by some of his enemies that lay in ambush to surprise him Then Alfrid the Bastard sonne of Oswin succeeded him repairing the decaied state of the Northumbers though he could not recover all that the Picts Scottishmen and Britans had gotten from them in his brothers time Osred his sonne of the age of eight yeares possessed the government till he was murthered by his kinsmen Kenred and Osrick who divided the Principalitie between them till falling at civil discord among themselves the one supplanted the other by which means Kenred alone ruled the Northumbers about two yeares Then Osrick obtaining the government elected Ceolnulph the brother of Kenred to be his successor Ceolnulph after he had ruled the Province eight yeares and obtained many victories against his enemies gave over the regiment and became a Monke in Holy-Iland About this time lived Benedict the Priest who first taught the Saxons the art of painting glasing Masonrie In the raigne of Ceolnulph Venerable Bede the ornament of that age for learning and pietie flourished in Britannie He writ the historie of the English church and dedicated it vnto Ceolnulph the Prince Then Egbert the cosin-german of Ceolnulph imitating the example of his predecessor forsooke the world and entred into Religion His brother bearing the same name was then Archbishop of Yorke where he founded a famous Librarie Oswolf Moll Alered Etheldred Aelfwold and Osred raigned successively with like fortune for the most part for they were all either slaine or deposed by their own subjects except Etheldred who was afterwards restored to the government which yet he enjoyed not long For within four yeares after he was miserably slaine After his death the Province was wasted either by cruell dissention or forreine invasion by the space of thirtie yeares during which time Eardulph Alfwold Eandred Ethelred Readulph Osbert and Elle vsurped the title of Princes Readulph Osbert and Elle were slaine at Yorke by the Danish Pyrates Hinguar and Hubba whom Benbokard in revenge of the indignitie offred to him by Osbert that had ravished his wife had stirred vp to vndertake that enterprise But about the yeare of grace 800. the Danes were expelled the Northumbers brought vnder the subiection of Egbert the West-Saxon Prince The succession of the West-Saxon Princes 1 Cerdic 2 Kenric his sonne 3 Ceaulin the sonne of Kenric 4 Cearlick the nephew of Ceaulin 5 Ceolnulph 6 Kinegles the first Christian Prince 7 Guichelin the sonne of Kinegles 8 Cuthred the sonne of Guichelin 9 Kennewalch the yonger sonne of Kinegles 10 Sexburga the widdow of Kennewalch 11 Eascwin the nephew of Kinegles 12 Kenewin the yongest sonne of Kinegles 13 Ceadwall 14 Ina. 15 Ethelard 16 Cuthred 17 Sigebert 18 Kenulph 19 Britric 20 Egbert ⧠The succession of Bishops in the Principalitie of the West-Saxons Bishops of Dorchester 635 Birinus sate fifteene yeares 650 Agilbertus ten yeares 660 Wina sate at Winton ten yeares 670 Leutherius seven yeares 686 Hedda twentie eight yeares 705 Daniel who was also Bishop of Selesey sate fortie yeares 745 Humfertus ten yeares 755 Kinewardus twentie five yeares 780 Aethelâ—ardus eleven yeares 791 Egbaldus foure yeares 795 Dudda two yeares 797 Kinebertus eleven yeares Bishops of Shireburn 705 Aldelmus sate five yeares 710 Fortherus twentie seven yeares 736 Herewaldus nineteene yeares 756 Aethelmodus twentie two yeares 788 Denefrithus twentie one yeares 798 Wibertus twentie yeares CHAP. I. The Principalitie of the West-Saxons established by Cerdic Berinus preacheth the Christian faith to the West-Saxons The towne of Dorchester assigned to him for a Bishops Sea Kinegles the first Christian Prince Winchester is made a Bishops Sea by Kennewalch the West-Saxon Prince Ceadwall resigning the governement to Ina goeth to Rome where he dieth THe West-Saxons tooke the addition of their name from the situation of place as inhabiting the Westerne part of the I le wherein at this day are contained the Counties of Cornwall Devon Dorset Wilton Southampton and Berk. About the yeare of grace 509. Cerdic with Kenric his sonne and a warlike companie of Saxons arrived in Britannie where they were encountred by Natanleod a Brittish Prince neere a shallow brooke afterwards called Cerdics-foord and now by contraction of speech Chardfoord The fortune of that bataile determined the hope of the Britans and established the Saxons in possession of the greatest part oâ— those Countries over which Cerdic and Kenric ruled with equall authoritie enlarging their dominions by the conquest of the I le of Wight the governement whereof was assigned by Cerdic to Stuffa and Withgar his nephewes After the father and sonne had ruled joyntly about seventeene yeares Cerdic ending his life by course of nature left the entire Principalitie to Kenric his sonne Kenric was oft times assailed by the Britans who attempted the recoverie of their antient possessions but could not prevaile and the Province being otherwise free from annoyance was peaceably governed during his time Then Ceaulin his sonne succeeding him made warre vpon Ethelbert the Kentish Prince in the prosecution whereof Oslave and Cnebban two valiant Captaines of the Kentish Saxons were slaine and Cutholp his brother made head against the Britans from whom he recovered divers Forts and Cities which they had gotten in the Territorie of the Mercians But while Ceaulin was making warre abroad Cearlic his brother Gâ—tholps sonne kindled a rebellion within the Province and by force vsurped the governement about five yeares After the death of Cealric Ceolnulph the sonne of Cutha the sonne of Ceaulin recovered the Principalitie In the beginning of his raigne the Province of the West-Saxons was invaded both by the Britans also by the Scottishmen and Picts The East-Angles likewise at the same time assailed it but Ceolnulph having appeased these troubles and beginning a new warre against the South-Saxons died before he could fully finish it leaving the prosecution thereof to Kinegles his sonne who with good successe vndertooke the warre and having overthrowne the Britans converted his forces against Penda the Mercian Prince with whom after each had tried the others strength in battaile he concluded a peace In the yeare of grace 635. he imbraced the Christian faith and was baptised by Berinus who first preached the Gospel to the West-Saxons Oswald Prince of the Northumbers being his godfather at his baptisme The Citie of Dorchester was by Kinegles and Oswald assigned to Berinus for the Bishops Sea of that Province Then Guichelin the sonne of Kinegles and Cuthred the sonne of Guichelin ruled successively and were both baptised by Berinus the Bishop After them Kennewalch the yonger sonne of Kinegles obtained the governement He married the
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
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